The Fiery Serpent
Illustration. Where the NIV reads “fiery serpents” the Aramaic O.T. has kwawatha kharmaney, the cockatrice. These shiny reddish colored snakes are extremely poisonous and aggressive as well. During the First World War the British army had many problems with these snakes, in the same area the ancient Israelites were passing through.
Interestingly, a copper serpent has been found by archaeologists in a Midianite worship center dating from at least 1150 B.C.
Total destruction (21:2). The theme of total destruction is sounded frequently in the story of the Conquest of Canaan. This was ordained by God as a punishment for the gross immorality and idolatry practiced by the Canaanites, and to protect the Israelites from corruption.
Look and live (21:4–9). Jesus drew an analogy between His cross and the bronze snake Moses raised on a pole (cf. John 3:14–15). The link between these two events is expressed in verse 15. The person who believed God’s Word enough to look to the source of healing was saved.
The secret of the healing power of the bronze snake lay not in magic but in faith. Just as the secret of our appropriation of the healing power of Jesus lies in believing God’s Word about the meaning of Christ’s death.
Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991. Print.
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