The Bronze Serpent and the Messiah

This week's Torah portion, חֻקַּת Chukat (statures of), reveals an intriguing parallel between the word serpent and Messiah. A connection that leaves most scratching their heads if they do not explore the unique relationship between our Savior and the bronze serpent. Something the scriptures confirms on its own, but is made more evident through the Hebrew.

Before we dive into the explanation of this unique symbolic revelation let's remind ourselves what a חֻקָּה Chukah is. A Chukah is the least or smallest commandments given by Adonai. It is a prescribed request that makes no logical sense. In a way, when we heed His voice to the point of observing and practicing a Chukah, we become closer to our Creator. This verse spoken by Yeshua reflects this truth:

"Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19

Some examples of these Chukot (stature in plural or statures) are the dietary restrictions, some of the cleansing ceremonies, and not eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden (was a Chukah given to Adam and Eve). They are statures that have no logical explanation from Adoinai. You simply obey if you trust who is asking you to do them. They are commands that make no logical or moral sense and we aren't given any explanation as to why we should do them except that God asked it. This is important because in this portion several of these examples are given, but a shadow of the most important one is also revealed. The Chukah that everyone's salvation depends on.

Let's get back to the bronze serpent and the Messiah. The first connection comes from the Hebrew Gematria. Gematria is the sum of the Hebrew letter's numeric equivalent. In this case the word for serpent נָחָשׁ Nahash has the gematria value of 50 + 8 + 300 = 358. The same value as the word Messiah מָשִׁיחַ Mashiarch, which is 40 + 300 + 10 + 8 = 358. Words with the same Gematria values in Hebrew are deeply connected. So how exactly can the Messiah be in any way connected to a Nahash (the word is not only serpent, but represents HaSatan, God's greatest arch enemy and the deceiver who caused Eve to fall.)

In this portion we see the connection very clearly (see Numbers 21:6-9):

• The serpent is lifted up on a pole

• Israelites are instructed to look upon it and believe to be healed from its poison

• All who believe and obey without questioning or explanation is saved from death (a Chukah)

Yeshua, THE Messiah, went through the same process:

• He was lifted up on a pole (cross)

• The entire world is instructed to look upon Him and believe to be healed from the poison of sin (He who knew no sin, became sin for our behalf - see 2 Corinthians 5:21)

• All who believe and obey without questioning or explanation is saved from the second death - eternal death (THE most important Chukah in scripture)

And to make this connection clear, here are Yeshua's own words:

"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. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and Only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will no perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:14-16

I urge you today to look up on the cross and believe in the Son of God and the work He has accomplished through His death so that you and I may be saved. It's a Chukah. No logic should be applied, though it makes perfect sense to those who seek it further. Just believe and receive the gift of everlasting life. Shalom!