Snakes On Poles

From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road, to bypass the land of Edom. But with their patience worn out by the journey, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We are disgusted with this wretched food!”

In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents, which bit the people so that many of them died. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you. Pray the LORD to take the serpents away from us.”

So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses, “Make a saraph and mount it on a pole, and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.” Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. (Numbers 21:4-9)

Physicians use this same symbol – a snake, or two, entwined on a pole.  Doctors strive to cure us of our “bites” and to take away our “serpents” so we will live.  Likewise, Jesus is our physician who takes away our sins and cures us.  

However, quite often we are not good patients.  We complain like the people who complained against God and Moses: “Why cannot you cure us?  You are letting us die in our “deserts” of despair and pain. We are disgusted with your wretched help!”  We can be intolerant and impatient with doctors, and Jesus.

We sometimes feel like we are mounted on poles – crucified like Jesus.  Fortunately, doctors are in the business of resurrection – bringing us back to life.  Thank God for those snakes on poles!  Thank you Jesus!

Deacon David Pierce