Moses and the snake

In chapter 21 of Numbers, the Israelites begin grumbling at God, which prompts God to send poisonous snakes throughout the camp. When the people repent, God commands Moses (verse 8, KJV),

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.

Upon first glance, this seems like a strange passage. Why not just heal the afflicted? Why set up something that could easily become the object of idolatry?

As with many passages in the Old Testament, the full significance of the "snake on the pole" would not become evidence for several thousand years. Only when Jesus spoke with Nicodemus did the concept of something being hung on a pole come in to full focus (John 3:14-15, KJV),

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

I see three lessons here:

1. God's plan for salvation does not require much from us. Just look up at something!
2. The snake itself was insignificant, but it portends something far more important -- Jesus on the cross.
3. The Bible is meant to be consumed in its broad sweep. That is, the snake story seems strange in isolation, but it's meant to be interpreted alongside material from the New Testament.

So in our prayers today, let us "look up" to that simple, and gracious, offer of salvation.