The Bronze Serpent on the Pole in Numbers 21:9 Represented the Cross
by Owen Borville
April 30, 2021
Bible
The Bronze Serpent on the Pole in the Book of Numbers 21:9 is seen by many as representing the Cross of Jesus Christ.
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Numbers 21:4-9.
Just as these Israelites were able to look at the pole with the serpent and live, believers in Jesus Christ today look to the Cross and live, receiving forgiveness and salvation from God. The serpent on the pole represented sin, just as Jesus Christ himself took the place of sin on the Cross.
Jesus also referenced this event from the Book of Numbers while teaching Nicodemus the Pharisee in the Book of John 3:14-15:
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15.
Just as life was given by the sacrifice of the Son of Man, in addition the Son of Man will be glorified and lifted up.
by Owen Borville
April 30, 2021
Bible
The Bronze Serpent on the Pole in the Book of Numbers 21:9 is seen by many as representing the Cross of Jesus Christ.
4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Numbers 21:4-9.
Just as these Israelites were able to look at the pole with the serpent and live, believers in Jesus Christ today look to the Cross and live, receiving forgiveness and salvation from God. The serpent on the pole represented sin, just as Jesus Christ himself took the place of sin on the Cross.
Jesus also referenced this event from the Book of Numbers while teaching Nicodemus the Pharisee in the Book of John 3:14-15:
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15.
Just as life was given by the sacrifice of the Son of Man, in addition the Son of Man will be glorified and lifted up.