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.
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