On Easter Monday, my family had a trip to visit the North Carolina Zoo. It was a beautiful day and a great experience.
On the way out of one of the parks, to my right, was a bronze snake on the hand rail. I didn’t notice it was bronze until I had put some distance between me and the sculpture.
It reminded me of the bronze snake in Numbers 21. The children of Israel were tired of walking and eating dust and manna. They became impatient and spoke out against God and complained to Moses, “Why did you have us leave Egypt and bring us out here to die in the desert with no water and this miserable bread.” Most groups have a “Back to Egypt Committee” that want things to go back the way they were, not realizing the memories of the past has been colored by nostalgia.
It was not the first time they had complained in the wilderness. After all, they had been wandering around in circles for 40 years – because Moses was lost and like most men, didn’t want to stop and ask for directions. God is patient, but this time, there happened to be poisonous snakes in the desert and with their minds off the blessings they were receiving, many were bitten and some died. The Bible uses the term “fiery” serpents, because the venom burned like fire.
Acknowledging their errors, they came to Moses and confessed they should not have complained about God and asked Moses to intercede for them. Moses prayed and God told him to make a bronze snake and set it on a pole, and anyone who was bitten and looked at the bronze snake would be healed. It was the cure for the snake bite and I imagine even the bread tasted much better.
Why would a people that forbid idols look at a bronze serpent for healing? One thought is the people faced their fears. The serpent created fear and by confronting the bronze serpent, they feared it no more. The other thought is they had to look up and as they were looked up to the heavens their minds turned toward God. The story of the bronze serpent and the healing stayed with the people, even after King Hezekiah had to destroy it because people were worshiping it.
A fiery serpent is attacking our land. This time, it is COVID-19. We are still in the midst of a serious pandemic.
Is there a bronze serpent against COVID? Yes, the vaccine is safe and available.
By getting the vaccine, you are protecting yourself and others. Please talk to your healthcare provider about the vaccine.
Please call our local Health Department (479-7900) to make an appointment.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church. Email him at ereece@wnccumc.net.