What Happened To The Brazen Serpent?

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Sept 1972

It ended up as one of the broken things of Scripture. For hundreds of years it had remained with the children of Israel, but when Hezekiah found the people were burning incense to it, he broke it into pieces (2 Kings 18:1-8). To him it was only a piece of brass (v.4, R.V. margin), which was a true estimation. It had served its purpose in the past when the Israelites were bitten by fiery serpents in the wilderness, and they were told to look at it and be healed. Its purpose for the future as typified in the Lord Jesus (John 3) was fulfilled in His death at Calvary. It had no specific use in Hezekiah's reign, unless as a reminder of the grace and power of God. But when it became an object of worship, it was destroyed by this faithful man of God.

Hezekiah was a good man. There are seven commendable things said about him in 2 Kings 18. He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord (v.3); he destroyed the idols, and the places where they were worshipped (v.4); he trusted the Lord (v.5); there was none like him among all the kings of Judah (v.5); he clave to the Lord (v.6); he kept His commandments (v.6); he prospered because the Lord was with Him (v.7). How different from the people over whom he reigned I He would have no part in their high places, and Asherah, and graven images; rather he sought to lead them in the way of the Lord. It is remarkable how far the people of God can drift. One heard recently of a Christian woman attending a seance, and attempting to reach her dead Christian husband through a spiritist medium. How can a Christian succumb to such suggestions? It certainly emphasizes to us the subtlety of the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), who is also the prince of this world (John 14:30). We live in a day when demon worship, spiritism and occult practices are spreading rapidly amongst young people and unwary adults. Paul warned of "later times" when some would fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1). He told of young widows who turned aside after Satan (5:15). They went from house to house as tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they ought not (v.13). This was perhaps more serious than we realize for the Greek word for busybody is also used for the "curious arts" mentioned in Acts 19:19.

Christians should be warned that there are things taking place today that we should shun, and not attempt to dabble in them. The reading of teacups, the so-called telling of fortunes, the consulting of horoscopes, the apparently innocent "magic tricks", can arouse a curiosity which might lead into the more serious realm of forbidden things. We should be aware of reports which indicate that in the U.S.A. alone there are ten million adherents to the occult arts connected with witchcraft and Satan worship; that the first Satanic bible has been published; and that there is a first Church of Satan in existence. Let us then avoid even the remotest association with such things. Let us rather hold fast to that which is good (1 Thess. 5:21), the appeal made to a people who turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:9,10).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Sept 1972
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