Moses and the Bronze Serpent

A few weeks ago, I taught a lesson to the children in the Wednesday evening services. I brought my puppet/friend Ace to help me as I told the Bible story. I have found that having a puppet helps me explain in a level the kids understand. Ace brought a rubber snake, and the Bible store unfolded from there....

The lesson was on Moses and the bronze serpent. I admit that this is not the easiest story to teach and get the point across to the kids, but one that I believed was important. The past several lessons had been on signs, so this worked perfect!

The entire lesson dealt with faith and trusting the Lord (Numbers 21:5-7). After leaving the bondage of Egypt, the Israelite came to the border of the Promised Land. God was willing to give it to them. However, after the reports from the spies, their faith failed and they wouldn't trust God to defeat the giants in the land. It wasn't too long that that the people fell into unbelief and they murmured for being there, forgetting that it was due to their sin. God allowed fiery (poisonous) serpents to enter their camp due as judgement, causing death to those who were bit. The people turned to Moses who went to God on their behalf. God told Moses to create a serpent of bronze and hang it on a pole. The directions were simple. If bit, look upon the bronze snake and live. It was a test of faith.

As I explained to Ace (and the children), it was a simple healing. They didn't have do anything special. There was no great task or ritual. They didn't need to make an antidote. They didn't have to do any procedure. Just one simple act: look and live.

The serpent symbolized sin and judgement. A curse. Jesus himself said that the serpent on the pole was an early representation of him (John 3:14). It's hard for us to think of our Savior that way, but he took upon himself our sin, and was the curse in our place (Galatians 3:13). He became sin for us so that we can become righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).

So the same applies to us. We don't have to go through a great task or ritual. We don't have to make up for our sins by doing good deeds. Christ is our Salvation. A simple act of faith... look and live!

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As a side note, I also pointed out to Ace (and the children) that we often see God's symbol even now. Take a look at an ambulance or hospital. You see the "Star of Life". 

I didn't go into detail on that subject though. Just making the reference. The Star of Life is taken from the Greek deity Asclepius and his rod (associated with healing and medicine). But his rod may be linked to the Moses' bronze serpent, called The Nehushtan by the Hebrews. Remember, many things copy the original! Anyway, this could be a study within itself... ;)

Yes, I often get really involved in my studies!!!
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 ~Matt