The serpentine: A rich and powerful symbol
"Greatest Hits" 14: It's much more than a symbol of Satan
This is the fourteenth in a series revisiting insights that have hit me hardest in the last two years
“Now the serpent….” (Genesis 3:10
Symbolism is a language, and like words, symbols can have several meanings, even opposite meanings. (See contronyms.)
So it’s a mistake to say, for example: “The serpent symbolizes Satan.” As if that says it all.
Indeed, we see many serpentine symbols:
the brass serpent that Moses lifted up
the “worm” of Psalm 22
Moses’/Aaron’s staff
the “fish” that swallowed Jonah, and the worm that killed his shady plant
The Nile and other snaking rivers
… and many others. (Search from my home page.)
So what holds it all together? Change, including, above all, Jesus saving us from our hopeless alienation from God.
So…
Look at the image below.
Pray:
Lord Jesus, you said: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
I believe in you.
I trust in you. Amen.
Coming soon!