Symbols

by Joey Davis

King Hezekiah was considered one of the great kings of God's people. When I read about this interesting man in the book of 2 Kings, I see something unusual in his remedy to Israel's idolatry problem.

Before the reign of Hezekiah, the Israelites had fallen into a state of idolatry. Most of the problem was caused by their habit of capturing a land and claiming part of its culture as Israel's own. They had a problem with "being in the world but not of the world;" a commandment that Jesus would later share with His church. Yet as Hezekiah was destroying idols throughout the land inhabited by God's people, 2 Kings 18:4 records him destroying a very interesting idol . . . the bronze serpent of Moses.

Surely Hezekiah realized that this serpent was a valuable piece of history that linked Israel's past to its future. Didn't he understand that this brass serpent was a symbol of salvation to those who had prospered under its power?

This brass serpent was the same one that is spoken of in Numbers 21. While wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites became complainers. God tired of their lack of gratitude and their obvious lack of faith. Therefore, He sent a plague of fiery serpents in their midst. Many Israelites were bitten and killed by this plague. After Moses entreated God concerning the serpents, God told him to fashion a serpent of brass and set it on a stand in the midst of the people. Whoever looked upon the serpent after being bitten would live. This serpent was God's avenue of escape and created a new faith in His power.

This serpent is mentioned by Jesus in contrasting His power to save with that of His Father's as recorded of old. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life." ( John 3:14-15)

How could Hezekiah destroy something that had served as such an encouraging reminder of God's love and providence? Hezekiah understood the historical significance and powerful symbolism of the serpent. Yet, the people had forgotten. As we read on in 2 Kings 18:4, we see that the Israelites had been burning incense and worshipping the serpent as a god. This couldn't be tolerated because it was God, not the serpent, who held the power.

We see many emblems in our society today that are considered "religious." Crosses and "WWJD" bracelets seem to have saturated our society. But we need to be very careful with these symbols. They are to serve as reminders of the One to be given all glory! Anything more is sin.