Snake On A Stick

So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed! [Numbers 21.9]

This is quite a story. In summary, Israel began again to complain about their journey. God sent deadly snakes among the people and many died from snakebites. Israel then repented and pleaded with Moses to intercede on their behalf. Moses prayed and the LORD told him to make this "serpent on a stick" that, when any person bitten by one of the deadly snakes looked upon it, they would be completely healed.

How cool is that?

It will be important here to consider something we are very familiar with today. Modern medicine has a symbol. That symbol is a "snake on a stick"!

How cool is that?

VERY COOL! But perhaps we should consider the rest of the story of Israel's "snake on a stick."

He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan. [2 Kings 18.4]

Wait, ...what? He who? What's the story? Let's look at the verse above in its context:

Hezekiah son of Ahaz began to rule over Judah in the third year of King Hoshea’s reign in Israel. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done. He removed the pagan shrines, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke up the bronze serpent that Moses had made, because the people of Israel had been offering sacrifices to it. The bronze serpent was called Nehushtan. [2 Kings 18.1-4]

The context of Hezekiah destroying the bronze "snake on a stick" was that Israel had begun to worship it! Furthermore, in this same context of Hezekiah destroying the "snake on a stick" the Bible records that is was part of Hezekiah's testimony that "He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight..."

Want some more context? Check out what the Bible says about Hezekiah immediately following the record of him destroying Israel's idols including the "snake on a stick."

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. [2 Kings 18.5]

So here's the deal, yes, God gave the "snake on a stick" as a good thing to the people and, at least for a while, they understood that God alone was their Healer and the "snake on a stick" was their reminder of that. However, in time, they forgot that God alone was their Healer and they began to worship the "snake on a stick" thus sinning in their idolatry.

So, what does this say about modern medicine that still uses the "snake on a stick" as its universal symbol? The irony of this is too profound to overlook, but we do overlook it every day. Modern medicine has become the final authority on all things "health."

I had a man scold me just the night before writing this because I am trusting in the LORD alone to heal some problems in my body not limited to a neck problem that is both very painful and  increasingly debilitating and therefor noticeable. The man argued that God uses medicine to heal men today and that I should be seeking medical help. I wonder why the man did not lay hands on me right then and pray for immediate healing as the Bible instructs that we should do?

I explained to him that just as Abraham refused to take money from the king of Sodom, so I was refusing to seek health from medicine. I went to state that I want the testimony that no man contributed to my health, but God alone.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ [Genesis 14.21-23]

I genuinely believe I am on the side of faith in refusing medical help. I am reminded of Hebrews chapter 11 that specifically states that some held to faith keeping their eyes on the ultimate goal instead of receiving immediate gratification. 

If I do not receive healing, I still want to be this person:

All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. [Hebrews 11.13]

And this person:

Women received their loved ones back again from death.

But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. [Hebrews 11.35]

I DO NOT WANT TO TURN FROM GOD TO MEDICINE! I WANT THIS TESTIMONY: THAT GOD ALONE HEALED ME - BUT IF HE DOESN'T, AND I SUFFER AND DIE, I WANT THE TESTIMONY THAT I DIED IN FAITH!

There is a better life after this one for the faithful. Key word: faithful.

Father, I have made statements here that I realize I cannot abide by without Your help. Please restore my body, heal me - I believe Jesus paid for it. Even so, come Lord Jesus.