“The bronze snake” – Jesus on the cross.
When the Edomites refused to let the Israelites pass through their territory, the Israelites had to go around Edom. Edom is Esau, Jacob’s brother, so the Israelites did not fight them. Numbers 20:14–21. Moses led the people back toward the Red Sea to avoid Edom, but they became irritated and complained against God and Moses. Numbers 21:4–5. God sent venomous snakes, and many Israelites died from their bites. The people admitted their sins and asked Moses to pray to God on their behalf. Moses prayed, and God answered him, giving him instructions on how to save the people.
“The Lord said to Moses, Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” Numbers 21:8. The snake on a pole in the desert represented the Son of Man lifted up or hung on a wooden cross. Being hung on a wooden pole or cross meant being hung on a tree. Those who looked up at the snake had to trust that God would save them from death. People did not have to have physical contact with the snake, and nothing flowed from the snake to the ground. Therefore, people had to rely on God.
God was informing the people that, in due time, the Lamb of God would be crucified so that everyone who looks to Him would have eternal life. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up that everyone who believes may have eternal life.” John 3:14. Also, the Greek here indicates that all who trust Him will have eternal life in Him. Therefore, anyone who wants to live forever must trust Jesus Christ, because our eternal life is hidden with God in Jesus Christ.
Which prophet? Read the next blog.