This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Numbers 21:4-8, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, God’s people were walking through the desert. From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. They were tired and hungry and they started to complain to Moses and God. They said, “Why did you bring us out here to die? We hate this food and there’s no water!”
God was not happy with their complaining and sent fiery snakes to bite them. Many people got very sick and some even died. The people realized they had done something wrong and asked Moses to pray to God to take away the snakes.
Moses prayed and God told him to make a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and they would be healed.
So Moses made the bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Everyone who looked at the snake was healed and felt better.
Biblical Lessons
- We should not complain or grumble against God and his plans for us.
- Even when we do wrong, we can ask God for forgiveness and he will help us.
- God can provide a way to heal us when we are sick or hurt, like he did with the bronze snake.
Related Stories
Must-Read Christian Books
Mere Christianity
Lewis lays out the core beliefs of the Christian faith with clarity, logic, and imagination, rooted in Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Pursuit of God
A heartfelt call to pursue God Himself above all else, with a strong emphasis on holiness and devotion.
View on Amazon
Institutes of the Christian Religion
A classic work of Reformed theology in an accessible form, laying out Christian doctrine with deep biblical roots.
View on Amazon
The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
View on Amazon
A Call to Spiritual Reformation
Walks through Paul's prayers to teach believers how to pray biblically and God-centeredly.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
All of Grace
A simple, powerful explanation of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.
View on Amazon
The Gospel According to Jesus
Defends a biblical understanding of faith and repentance against easy-believism.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
View on Amazon
Worship Matters
Helps worship leaders and churches keep the gospel central in congregational worship.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Worship
Traces historic worship patterns and shows how to shape Christ-focused services today.
View on Amazon
Total Truth
Equips believers to see all of life through a biblical worldview and challenge secular thinking.
View on Amazon
Gentle and Lowly
Meditates on Christ's heart for sinners and sufferers from key biblical texts.
View on Amazon
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment
Teaches believers how to distinguish truth from error using Scripture.
View on Amazon
Counterfeit Gods
Exposes modern idols of the heart and points to Christ as our true treasure.
View on Amazon
The Peacemaker
Biblical principles for resolving conflict in a way that honors Christ and reconciles people.
View on Amazon