Bronze Serpent in Wilderness and Healing

The story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 is a story of healing in the Old Testament. This story parallels the waters of Mara.

• The Story of the Bronze Serpent: In Numbers 21, the Israelites grumbled against God and Moses, complaining about the lack of food and water. As a result, God sent fiery serpents among them, and many people died from snake bites. When the people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole, so that anyone who looked at it would live.
• Grumbling as an Obstacle to Healing: The Israelites’ grumbling and complaining was a manifestation of their lack of faith and discontentment. Ken Fish notes that such criticism and impatience are considered “works of the flesh”. This kind of negative heart attitude can hinder healing because it creates a barrier between individuals and God’s power.
• Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Bronze Serpent: Jesus Himself used the story of the bronze serpent as a foreshadowing of His crucifixion. Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for physical healing, Christians can look to the cross for both physical and spiritual healing.
• Analogy of Electricity and Healing: Fish uses the analogy of electricity to explain how internal obstacles can block healing. He explains that electricity flows through conductors like metal but not through insulators like ceramics. Similarly, if individuals have bitterness, unforgiveness, or other negative emotions (“ceramic”) within them, these can act as insulators, preventing God’s healing power from flowing freely. To receive healing, these internal “insulators” need to be removed, allowing God’s power to move readily.
• Looking to Jesus: Just as Moses lifted the serpent, those seeking healing need to look to Jesus on the cross. They can give thanks to God and accept Jesus to come under a covenant that offers healing. See John 3:13

• Title: S6E1 – Why Doesn’t Healing Always Happen
• Speaker: Ken Fish
• Start Time: 0:27:35
• End Time: 0:35:24

Orbis Ministries – Link to Ken Fish’s Ministry material.