The Parallels of the Bronze Snake and Jesus’ Sacrifice

4 They travelled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,[c] to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 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.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. – Numbers 21: 4-9

One can think about the comparison between Jesus being lifted up and the bronze snake mentioned in Numbers. The similarities reveal God’s love and grace in both.

The Israelites were disgruntled, not fully appreciating what God, through Moses, had done for them.  They had grown complacent in their life of slavery. Despite the hard labour they endured, they knew there would always be food.

Now, on their way to the Red Sea, uncertainty would have crossed their minds as to what would happen next.  Moses had said he was leading them to the promised land. However, their current location didn’t seem very promising. The journey to this promised land seemed to be taking forever.  One could almost imagine the children of the Israelites constantly asked their parents, “Are we there yet?” in their Hebrew tongue.

The Israelites had started to complain. People even nowadays would do the same in their predicament. They were not happy with their situation. They complained that they should have stayed in Egypt.  In their complaints, they would have been cursing Moses as well as God.

The Lord sent venomous snakes. This action was perhaps a form of punishment. Alternatively, it was a sign that “things could be worse,” prompting them to change their attitude.

Thankfully, the surviving Israelites got the message and apologised for the error in their ways.

God then showed grace and forgave them in a way that offered them a choice.  Those that were bitten could look upon the Bronze snake that Moses built (with God’s instructions). They would be healed. Alternatively, they could choose not to do so and die.

Fast forward several centuries, and people had become complacent again in their everyday lives.  Living in a way that was comfortable to them, but not always the way God would approve.

People would atone for sins made with sacrifices. Sacrifices of animals had, no doubt, become commonplace. Therefore, the people wouldn’t really learn from their errors. It would be doubtful they’d even reflect on them to live a more Godly life.

So God, through his grace and love, decides to send his Son, to be the sacrifice to end all sacrifices.  The ultimate sacrifice.  God loves us immensely. He wants us to be saved. To show this, he sends Jesus to be the FINAL sacrifice.

Again with the condition.  God gave the people choice.  Only those who choose to acknowledge God through Jesus will be saved. This is similar to the choice given many centuries earlier with the Bronze snake.  

Back then though, it was easier.  The people only had to look upon the Bronze Snake to be healed. Now the choice was more challenging as it involved the hearts and minds of people.  They couldn’t just look upon Jesus, they had to accept Jesus with all their heart, soul and mind.

People couldn’t just lie and say, “We’re cool with that, we’ll be on board.” They couldn’t do this because God knows what’s in their hearts.  God knows what’s in ALL our hearts.

So to compare the two, the bronze snake in Moses time and Jesus coming to save us, we can see the similarities:

• God loves us so much that he gave us another chance.
• God gave US the choice, to choose whether we want to be saved (or healed) by God or not.
• In these ways, God shows his patience, grace and love in all that he does.

God created us.  He prepared the solar system, the universe, and the planets. He made everything just to prepare a place for us. This way, we could live and thrive in God’s world.

I’m reminded of when I used to breed rats and mice.  Getting the tank or cage ready.  Creating an environment I was confident that they’d be content with.  Getting the food and water bowls set up and preparing bedding for them.  The more I readied their little cages, the more excited I got.

That same level of excitement every time I had to clean their cages.  I would be so filled with love. I felt excited to see their reactions when they saw their new home or just their newly cleaned home.

Anyone who has pet spiders, lizards, or hamsters would understand the level of affection required. They know the attention needed to offer their pet a comfortable environment to live in.

What we, as pet owners, feel is just a small part of how God must feel every day. He watches us from the moment we’re conceived until our final days. Then, he welcomes us home.  Doing everything to help us live our best lives, even if that means, at times, cleaning up our messes.

When I think of God’s love to me personally, I’m reminded of all the times in the past. Even when I felt alone in the human world, I still felt God’s love.

The father I grew up with, who I later learned wasn’t my biological father, never wanted me. I survived my childhood, even though doctors didn’t expect me to live due to serious health issues. After that, my mother lost interest in me.  She took great care of me until I was twelve. She ensured I not only lived but also thrived, despite the doctors’ predictions.

But once I hit twelve, my parents showed little interest in me. I may as well have become an orphan.  I knew I could always talk to my Heavenly Father. God was always there for me. So, I did.  I’d always pray to God for help. I’d vent about my trials and challenges, and begged God to just take me because I didn’t want to live anymore. In my teens when I attempted my demise too many times to count, God would always send angels to me in my dreams to counsel me and get me through those difficult times.

Later in my thirties, I only needed to ask, and God would answer every prayer. Granted, it was not always in ways I liked. I admit I’ve had times where I’ve perhaps taken God for granted. During those times, my life took a downward spiral. I would eventually realise my error and apologise. God would be right there at my side again, walking with me through some difficult periods in my life.

I had chosen to be single in my life. I wanted to devote all my love to God. I did not want to put anyone before him.  At one stage, I even considered becoming a nun. However, nuns can’t have pets. My second love is animals, and I couldn’t live a life without them.

I’ve found other ways to devote my life to God. In turn, I know he’s always there for me. He’s in my every thought and in my every breath.  God is my everything.

When I think about society as a whole. I try to live in a way that aligns with how I imagine God wants us to live. I strive not to judge others or their choices in life. I learn to be patient with others and accepting of them. Although this can sometimes be trying, I often find the more in years I advance, the less patience I have.

In return, I hope others respect my own choices. I know that, all too often, I can be notorious for making poor decisions.

So in my prayers, and we can all say this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, I pray that we continue to grow spiritually every day. Help us to better understand your depth of love for us. May we continue to embrace it. Through this, I pray that we aim to live a more Christ-like life. This brings us closer to you as each day marches us on toward the sunset of our physical lives.  I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

• All images in this post are AI creations.
• This blog was inspired by my local Pastor’s monthly prayer challenge: Day 1 – “For God So loved the world.” However, all other material in this are my own thoughts, with the exception of the Bible verses quoted. In parts, my thoughts may clash with the thoughts of others, including my Pastor.