NOTES for Num 21:1-35
Israel's history is full of examples of how the people's weak faith led to defeats, while trust in God led to victories. Each of us surely knows from personal experience how true this is in our own life as well. The bronze serpent became the most vivid symbol of this pattern. Everyone who lifted his eyes to heaven to look at it received healing from the wounds caused by unbelief. Christ connects the standard on which the serpent was lifted with His own cross (Jn 3:14), thereby testifying that He is the One in whom the new Israel must trust - mighty God and Father of the age to come.