What is the significance of the bronze snake?

What does bronze mean in the Bible? Bronze typically represents judgement, and a serpent typically represents sin. Having a bronze serpent on a pole is a message to us all that our sins have been judged. Jesus became sin on the cross. The enemy has been defeated. The serpent bit the heel of Jesus, but He stomped on the head of Satan and crushed Him! We are now dead to sin.

Jesus Himself referenced this story. In John 3, we read of Jesus’ meeting with Nicodemus. In answer to Nicodemus’ question, Jesus pointed back through the annals of history to Numbers 21 and explained how the Son of Man (a reference to Jesus Himself) must be lifted just like the bronze serpent. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15). This incident foreshadows what Jesus would accomplish more than a thousand years later. When Moses lifted up the bronze serpent for the people to see, he was providing a remedy for all who would look at it. Jesus was lifted up for a much broader-reaching recovery. The work done through the bronze serpent was temporary. Jesus’ work is permanent.

God was teaching the people something about faith. It is illogical to think that looking at a bronze image could heal anyone from snakebite, but that is precisely what God told them to do. It took an act of faith in God’s plan for anyone to be healed, and the serpent on the stick was a reminder of their sin, which brought about their suffering. This serpent symbolised the serpents God used to chastise the people for their unbelief.

The Greek word for “lifted up” does not mean simply holding something up to view. Instead, the Gospel writer employed a word that meant to exalt something. It also means to look intently with a vigorous intensity.

Not long after the encounter with Nicodemus, Jesus hung on the cross. While there, He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of the divine Son of God, who was also fully human and served the payment for our sins. Christ is exalted before the nations, and all who look to Him can live.

The serpent, a symbol of sin and judgment, was lifted up from the earth and put on a tree, which was a symbol of a curse (Galatians 3:13). The serpent lifted up and cursed, symbolised Jesus, who takes away sin from everyone who would look to Him in faith, just like the Israelites had to look to the upraised symbol in the wilderness. Paul is reminding the Galatians that Jesus became a curse for us, although He was blameless and sinless—the spotless Lamb of God. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Like the snake-bitten Israelites, we’re sinners deserving of God’s judgment. Because of our sin, the cross was necessary. That’s judgment. Yet, from the cross, Jesus took the punishment we deserve, and in His mercy, He overcame sin and death once and for all (Hebrews 2:14). Jesus Christ took our place on the cross so that if we only believe in him, we will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16b). What mercy!

Application Question:

1. Do you only have knowledge of God, or do you know God?

2. What is your gaze fixed on? Where is your attention concentrated right now? Is it on the Lord or on what the world has to offer?

Quote:

Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord.” - J.I. Packer

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for dying for me on the cross so that I can be saved. I am grateful for your sacrifice. Amen.