Healing in the Wilderness: The Bronze Snake (Numbers 21:4-9)
Have you ever been stuck in a tough situation and found yourself complaining? That’s what happened to the Israelites during their journey through the desert. In Numbers 21:4–9, we find a powerful story about complaining, consequences, and healing—and a surprising symbol of hope.
The People Complain Again
The Israelites were on a long journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Along the way, they became tired and impatient. The road felt too hard, and they didn’t like the food. Once again, they began to speak against God and against Moses. They said things like, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt just to die in the desert?” They were frustrated, and they let their feelings turn into complaints.
God Sends Fiery Serpents
God heard their complaints, and this time, He sent a very serious warning. Poisonous snakes appeared among the people. The snakes bit them, and many people died. It was a harsh consequence—but it woke them up. They realized they had sinned by turning against God.
Moses Prays for the People
The people came back to Moses and admitted they were wrong. They asked him to pray to God and ask for the snakes to be taken away. Moses, as their leader, once again stepped in to help and prayed for them.
The Bronze Snake on a Pole
God answered, but in a surprising way. He didn’t take the snakes away. Instead, He told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it high on a pole. Then God said, “Anyone who is bitten can look at the bronze snake and live.”
So Moses did exactly what God said. He made the bronze snake and lifted it up. When someone was bitten by a snake, they could simply look at the bronze snake—and they would be healed.
What Can We Learn?
This short story teaches us a lot:
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Complaining shows a lack of trust. The people forgot how God had cared for them and focused only on their discomfort.
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God is both just and merciful. He gave them a consequence for their sin, but He also gave them a way to be healed.
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Healing came through faith. They had to believe that looking at the bronze snake would save them. It took trust.
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This story points to Jesus. In the New Testament, Jesus said that just like the bronze snake was lifted up, He too would be lifted up on a cross—so that everyone who believes in Him would have eternal life (John 3:14–15).
Final Thoughts
The bronze snake was a strange but powerful reminder: even in judgment, God provides a way to be saved. When the Israelites looked up in faith, they were healed. Today, we’re invited to do the same—look up to Jesus, trust Him, and receive life and hope, even in the middle of our wilderness moments.
Numbers 21:4-9 (WEB)
21:4 They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey. 5 The people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”6 The LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died. 7 The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.