The answer is: Serpent

Num 21:8-9

In the story from Numbers 21:8-9, Moses holds up a brass serpent on a pole as a spectacular remedy for the venomous snake bites plaguing the Israelites. This isn't just a quirky antidote from ancient times; it carries deep symbolic weight. Some see it as a precursor to healing, reflecting how encountering our struggles—just like the Israelites had to face that serpent—can lead to recovery and growth.

Interestingly, the bronze serpent is often likened to the emblem of healthcare today—a staff entwined with a snake known as the caduceus. While the caduceus is associated with commerce, the Rod of Asclepius, which features a single snake wrapped around a staff, is the more appropriate symbol for healing and health.

Furthermore, this story echoes themes found in other key narratives within the Bible. Jesus himself references this incident in John 3:14-15 when he speaks about his own crucifixion and the promise of eternal life. By inviting parallels between Moses’ bronze serpent and his own upcoming sacrifice, he delicately intertwines concepts of faith and healing, suggesting that salvation transforms our understanding of pain and suffering.

In grasping these stories, we start to see foundational truths about reliance, responsibility, and the incredible power that stems from facing up to our challenges with hope—even symbolically depicted serpents on a pole.