The Bronze Snake: Healing by Faith, Not Magic

Bible Believing Christian
Sep 24
2 min read

The Bronze Snake: Healing by Faith, Not Magic

A bronze serpent lifted high in the wilderness might sound like myth, but it is a vivid moment in Israel’s history and a powerful prophecy of Christ. In Numbers 21 God used a bronze snake to save a rebellious nation. Later Jesus used the same image to explain His cross. Understanding this story—and how it differs from surrounding pagan myths—guards us from superstition and magnifies the gospel.

The Biblical Event

Poison and Mercy

During Israel’s desert journey the people complained against God and Moses. The Lord sent poisonous serpents, and many died.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and put it on a pole; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.’ And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.” (Numbers 21:8–9 NASB)

The healing came not from the metal itself, but from faithful obedience—looking to the sign of God’s promise.

Jesus and the Serpent

Centuries later Jesus declared:

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.” (John 3:14–15 NASB)

The bronze snake pointed to Christ lifted on the cross, where sin is judged and life is given.

Myths and Misuses

Rod of Asclepius and Healing Symbols

In Greek mythology, the god Asclepius carried a staff entwined with a serpent—a symbol of healing still seen on medical logos today. While visually similar, the meaning is opposite:

The Rod of Asclepius is tied to pagan deities and naturalistic healing powers.

The bronze serpent was God’s specific command, not human magic.

Israel later fell into idolatry by treating the bronze serpent as a charm. King Hezekiah destroyed it:

“He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.” (2 Kings 18:4 NASB)

This warns that even God-given symbols become idols when worshiped.

Theological Reflection

Sin’s Bite: The serpents represent sin’s deadly poison (Romans 6:23 NASB).

Grace’s Remedy: Salvation came only by looking to the sign God provided—foreshadowing the cross (John 3:14–15 NASB).

Faith, Not Magic: No ritual, metal, or formula saves. Only trust in God’s provision brings life.

Christ-Centered Conclusion

The Bronze Snake shows that salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8 NASB). What began as judgment ended in healing because people looked to God’s appointed sign—ultimately fulfilled when Jesus was lifted up for the world.