Discussion: The bronze serpent refers to an important incident during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. According to Numbers 21:8-9, when the Israelites complained against God and Moses, God sent venomous snakes among them as punishment. After many died, the people repented. God then instructed Moses to make a bronze (or copper) serpent and mount it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live.
This object, later called "Nehushtan," was preserved for about 700 years. However, by King Hezekiah's time (around 700 BC), it had become an object of worship. In his religious reforms, Hezekiah destroyed it along with other idols (2 Kings 18:4).
Modern Theological Significance: Jesus referenced it in John 3:14-15 as a prefiguring of his crucifixion: "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 in him."
Application: See Christ even in the midst of your complaining and rebellion, look to the cross (Christ Crucified) and be delivered!