The Symbolism Of Snakes From Numbers 21:5-9: Timeless Lessons For Today’s World
In the pages of the Bible, there are profound truths and symbols that transcend time and speak directly to our hearts today. One such symbol is the snake, particularly in the story found in Numbers 21:5-9, where the Israelites, after their complaints and rebellion, faced a deadly plague of venomous snakes. The story of the bronze serpent lifted by Moses carries deep meaning and powerful symbolism, not just for the Israelites of old but for the world today. In this article, we will explore the significance of the snake in this passage and how its lessons apply to our lives in the modern world.
The Context of Numbers 21:5-9
In Numbers 21:5-9, the Israelites, in their journey through the wilderness, began to complain against God and Moses. They spoke against God’s provision and the difficulties of their journey. As a result, God allowed venomous snakes to invade their camp. The snakes brought destruction, and many people died from their bites. In their distress, the Israelites turned to Moses, confessing their sin and asking him to pray for their deliverance.
God commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole. Those who had been bitten were to look at the bronze serpent and would be healed. The text says:
> “The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.'”
—Numbers 21:8
This bronze serpent became a powerful symbol of healing and deliverance—a reminder of both judgment and mercy, sin and salvation. But how does this ancient story hold relevance for us today? Let’s dive deeper into the symbolism of the snake and its profound message for the modern world.
The Snake as a Symbol of Sin and Rebellion
In the Tanakh, the snake is often associated with evil, temptation, and rebellion. The first appearance of a serpent in the Bible is in Genesis 3, where the serpent tempts Eve to disobey God, resulting in the fall of humanity. The serpent in the garden becomes a symbol of sin entering the world and humanity’s separation from God due to disobedience.
Similarly, in Numbers 21, the snakes sent by God are a direct consequence of the Israelites’ sin—specifically their rebellion and lack of trust in God’s provision. Their grumbling and disobedience led to judgment, symbolized by the venomous snakes. The snake here represents the destructive power of sin and its consequences. But it also points to something much deeper: the need for a Savior.
> “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
—Romans 6:23
The bite of the snake was a physical manifestation of the death brought on by sin. In the same way, sin brings spiritual death and separation from God. However, this passage in Numbers offers a ray of hope—God provided a way of salvation, a way to be healed and restored.
The Bronze Serpent: A Symbol of Salvation and Redemption
The bronze serpent that Moses lifted up on the pole is a profound symbol of salvation. It was not the physical object that brought healing to the Israelites; rather, it was their faith in God’s command and the act of looking at the serpent that brought healing. It was a divine act of mercy that pointed forward to a greater salvation.
In the Gospel of John, Jesus Himself refers to this incident to explain His own mission of salvation:
> “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
—John 3:14-15
The bronze serpent was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who would be lifted up on the cross for the sins of the world. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, so too are we healed by looking to Jesus, who bore our sins on the cross. The act of looking at the serpent required faith in God’s provision; the act of looking to Jesus requires faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection.
> “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
—John 3:16
The symbolism of the snake and the bronze serpent teaches us that, though sin has consequences, God provides a way of salvation. Jesus, like the bronze serpent, became the instrument of our healing, the answer to our brokenness, and the path to eternal life.
The Snake as a Reflection of Our Human Condition
In today’s world, we still see the venom of sin wreaking havoc. Just as the Israelites were bitten by the venomous snakes, so too are we affected by the “venom” of sin in our lives. The evil and brokenness we experience in the world—violence, hatred, division, and suffering—are all consequences of sin.
The story of the snake in Numbers 21 challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we like the Israelites, quick to complain, rebel, and distrust God? Do we allow sin to take root in our lives and poison our relationships, our peace, and our connection with God? The snakes in the wilderness are a reminder of the destructive power of sin, but they also point to the solution—the healing found in God’s mercy and grace.
The serpent’s venom symbolizes the pain and brokenness caused by our rebellion against God. But the bronze serpent, lifted high, reminds us that healing is possible when we look to Jesus. The symbolism is clear: in a world full of pain, our salvation lies not in our own efforts, but in looking to the Savior who was lifted up for us.
> “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.”
—1 Peter 2:24
The Call to Look Up: Jesus as the Answer for Today’s World
Just as the Israelites had to look up at the bronze serpent to be healed, we must look to Jesus today. In a world overwhelmed by the effects of sin—whether personal struggles, societal issues, or global crises—the call is the same: look to Jesus.
> “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’”
—Numbers 21:8
This simple yet profound command is still relevant. We live in a world marked by the “bites” of sin, but there is a cure—Jesus. Through His sacrifice, we can be healed, forgiven, and restored. Our gaze must shift from the problems that surround us to the One who offers us life and healing.
The symbolism of the snake in Numbers 21 teaches us not just about the consequences of sin but about the overwhelming grace of God, who always provides a way of salvation. Just as the Israelites found healing through faith in God’s provision, we too find healing through faith in Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: The Eternal Relevance of the Bronze Serpent
The story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 holds profound significance for us today. It is a story of judgment, mercy, and salvation—of sin and healing, of rebellion and redemption. The snake symbolizes the destructive power of sin, but the bronze serpent lifted up on the pole points to the ultimate remedy: the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.
As we navigate the challenges of today’s world, we are called to look to Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross to offer us healing and eternal life. The symbolism of the snake, both in the Tanakh and the Gospels, reminds us that healing is found in Him alone.
Let us not allow the venom of sin to consume us but turn our eyes to the Savior, who offers us grace, peace, and restoration. Give me Jesus, for He is the answer to our deepest needs and the solution to the brokenness of our world.
