Nehushtan

Another wonderful Hebrew word that Jesus Christ himself used to teach about the atonement is Nehushtan (2 Kings 18:4). This is the staff that Moses raise up with brazen serpent on top. As you know, this pole was created to help heal the people from the snake bites that were killing so many of them. If they “look upon the serpent” they would live. Those who did not look perished. It has been used as a symbol by many prophets (2 Nephi 25:20, Helaman 8:14,15). Those that “look upon the Son of God” and have faith in him will live Eternally with God. Those who do not look upon Christ in all things will not be found with him at the last day. 
What helps you remember to look upon Christ, so you can have Eternal Life?

Interesting Fact: Ophiuchus, the “Serpent Bearer” constellation is a man wrestling a serpent. It reminds us of the Nehushtan or the caduceus (the symbol medical doctors use to this day) that healed the Israelites. In the Greek myths, this constellation represented Asclepius, the god of medicine, who was so skilled that he could even raise the dead. (Ridpath, Ian, Star Tales (New York: Universe Books, 1988), p. 94-95, Note there is a difference between the double serpent on the Caduceus staff of Mercury (Hermes) and the single serpent on the staff of Asclepius.) Could Ophiuchus be a type of Jesus Christ who will over come the great serpent (Satan) and heal us and bring us (Eternal) life like the Nehushtan did for the Israelites?

These and other symbols and comparisons will be looked at and discussed in the “Path of Stone Tables” class this summer. I hope you’ll join us. Go here for all the details.