The Real Meaning

Snakes, judgment, and the Israelites—Numbers 21 in the Old Testament is kind of an odd story. When the Israelites complained against God and His provision of bread from heaven, God, in His justice, sent judgment in the form of venomous snakes.

But, in His mercy, He didn’t leave His people to die but made a way so they could live. The Israelites had to confess their sins and look to the bronze snake Moses held up on a pole (verse 9). When they looked, they lived. God’s chosen people had to first recognize their sin and need for salvation, and then they simply had to look at the snake and live.

Although the Old Testament can be difficult to read at times, it all points to God’s ultimate plan: salvation from sin and death through His Son, Jesus. The story of Moses holding up the bronze snake for the dying Israelites reminds us of how, without Jesus, we are dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1). When we turn to God—who is loving and merciful—and look to His Son for salvation from sin and death, He makes us alive (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Jesus is “the bread of life†(John 6:35). He was lifted up on the cross for our sins. He died for us, then rose from the grave three days later—beating the power of sin and death. “Everyone who believes may have eternal life in him†(John 3:15). Have you looked to the Son? Come to Him and live! • Savannah Coleman

• To learn more about what it means to look to Jesus to find eternal life, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

• If you know other stories in the Old Testament of the Bible, how do these passages point to Jesus—fully God, fully human, and the only Savior from sin and death?

For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. John 6:40 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 1:1-7; Acts 8:30-31