Moses Lifts Up the Serpent
through the eyes of 3 painters
The Brazen Serpent by Michelangelo
Snakes writhe around
souls straining for control
with limbs twisted
face contorted with horror
he struggled to escape
as he’s dragged into the dark
others seek salvation
in symbol of Asclepius
reaching with pale hands
with faces drawn with hope
but he can’t turn
toward frightful shape
better to fight
the growing dark.
The Brazen Serpent by James Tissot
Moses watches on
as a man is carried forward
to be laid at the feet
of brazen serpent.
The people bow
before the serpent
hoping their supplication
will make them well.
The serpent twines
around cross
a gruesome symbol
of the Savior to come.
The Bronze Serpent by Gustave Dore
He hears the creams and cries
as people people writhe
trying to reach the serpent
their salvation.
He looks back and sees
the dead lying
with twisted limbs
entwined with snakes
bodies contorted to reach the snake
but he can’t bear to join them
can’t bring himself
to join the crowd
around symbol of death.
How could in such symbol
salvation lie?
He looks back
at the symbol of terror
at the people being carried
he wishes someone would carry him
to reach salvation.
He is tired
he lays still
and hopes the serpents
will think
him dead.
Numbers 21:4–9
“4Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,c in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey 5and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”
6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.
7Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.
8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.”
