21:4–9 This event typifies both the sacrifice of Christ and the faith of His people. Just as the bronze representation of the poisonous serpent was lifted up, so Christ, as one born “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Rom. 8:3), was lifted up (John 3:14). The afflicted Israelites had no other means of rescue than to look at the bronze snake, just as sinners have no hope for salvation except faith in the crucified Christ (John 3:15, 16). Unfortunately, this bronze serpent later became the object of idolatrous worship (2 Kin. 18:4).