Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27: Lesson 57

Numbers 21

Look to the Savior in Faith

As the children of Israel continued through the wilderness, they complained against the Lord. In response, He sent venomous serpents among them. He then instructed Moses to set a brass serpent upon a pole as a symbol of the Savior and promised that those who looked upon it would be healed. This lesson can help students look to Jesus Christ in faith.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Numbers 21:7–9 and Alma 33:18–21, looking for what we can learn from this account in the Old Testament. Encourage them to be prepared to share what they learned in class.

Possible Learning Activities

A snake bite

Consider beginning class by showing a picture of a snake.

• What do you think it would be like to be bitten by a venomous snake?

  Help students understand that being bitten by a venomous snake can cause swelling, blistering, severe pain, and illness. In extreme cases, it can even be deadly.

• What are some of the different ways people may react after being bitten?

  Some possible answers are: panic, seek revenge on the snake and kill it, wait to see how their body reacts to the bite, or immediately get help.

  Next to the snake, write sin. Invite students to compare how sin and its consequences might be like a snake bite.

• What are some of the different ways people may react after sinning?

Some possible answers are rationalizing their actions, looking to numb their feelings, hiding their actions because of shame or embarrassment, waiting to see what further consequences they face, or looking to the Lord for help.

Take a moment to ponder how you react. Do you look to the Lord for help? Why or why not? As you study this lesson, seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost to help you look to the Savior for help in your life. You can also look for help with any questions or concerns you have about looking to the Savior.

The fiery serpents

As they had done many times before, the children of Israel complained against the Lord as they traveled through the wilderness. Read the following verses and answer their accompanying questions. It may be useful to know that fiery means “poisonous” (see footnote 6a).

Consider displaying or writing the following verses and questions on the board. You could invite students to study them together in small groups, or invite students to study the verses on their own, then share their answers with a partner or small group to confirm their answers. If useful, explain that because the children of Israel were not allowed to travel through the land of Edom, but had to travel around it (see Numbers 21:4), which means their journey would be longer and more difficult.

Numbers 21:4–5. Why did the children of Israel speak against the Lord and Moses?

Numbers 21:6. In response, what did the Lord send?

Numbers 21:7–9. What did the Lord instruct Moses and the children of Israel to do to be healed?

1 Nephi 17:41; Alma 33:18–21. Why did some of the children of Israel not look?

Consider inviting students to write the Book of Mormon verses as cross-references to Numbers 21:9 or highlight footnote 9a.

• What stood out to you from this account?

• How might we be similar at times to the children of Israel?

A symbol for the Savior

During His mortal ministry, the Savior helped us understand what the brass serpent on the pole symbolized. Read John 3:14–16, looking for the answer. (You may want to mark this as a cross-reference to Numbers 21:7–9.)

After students share what they found, consider showing the following images.

• What can we learn from these accounts?

Students may share a principle similar to the following: As we look to the Savior in faith, He will heal us spiritually. Consider writing this principle on the board.

To better understand this principle, invite students to read the following statements.

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

I plead with you to come unto Him so that He can heal you! He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world. (“The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ,” Liahona, May 2023, 127)

• What did you like or learn from this statement?

• How might being healed from venom be like being healed by the Savior from the consequences of sin?

Look to the Savior

Invite students to take a minute to look at the picture of the Savior on the cross and ponder ways we can look to Him in faith today. Then invite them to do the following in small groups.

1. List several ways we can look to the Savior in faith today.

2. Discuss reasons we may struggle to do these things. (You might discuss why we, like the children of Israel, might be tempted to believe these ways to look to the Savior are too simple or will not help us.)

3. Despite any struggles, discuss why it is worth it to look to the Savior. (This might include sharing scriptural examples of the Savior’s healings, your feelings or testimony about looking to the Savior, or experiences you have had when you looked to the Savior in faith and what happened.)

If students need some ideas of ways we can look to the Savior, invite them to look for examples from the young man in “Atonement: Not a One-Time Thing” (3:00).

Ask students to share some of the highlights of their discussions. If students do not naturally share feelings, testimony, or experiences, consider giving them the following prompt:

I believe it is worth it to look to the Savior in faith because .

The activity above is an example of helping students consider their feelings about Jesus Christ. Helping students do this can allow the Holy Ghost to testify of Him.

(For additional training see: “Bear testimony often and invite learners to share their feelings, experiences, and testimonies,” in Teacher Development Skills).

As students share, be sure it is clear that the Savior will help and heal us in the way and time that is best for us.

What you believe

Seek the help of the Holy Ghost as you write down one way you believe the Lord wants you to look to Him, or continue to look to Him, in your life. You also might write why it may be difficult but still worth it.

Additional Resources

What can we do to seek the Savior’s healing?

President Russell M. Nelson taught:

When sore trials come upon us, it’s time to deepen our faith in God, to work hard, and to serve others. Then He will heal our broken hearts. He will bestow upon us personal peace and comfort. Those great gifts will not be destroyed, even by death. (“Jesus Christ—the Master Healer,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2005, 87)

Sister Cristina B. Franco, then Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, taught:

Aren’t we all … a little broken, cracked, and damaged, feeling like we will never be the same again? However, as we come unto Jesus Christ by exercising faith in Him, repenting, and making and keeping covenants, our brokenness—whatever its cause—can be healed. This process, which invites the Savior’s healing power into our lives, does not just restore us to what we were before but makes us better than we ever were. I know that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can all be mended, made whole, and fulfill our purpose. (“The Healing Power of Jesus Christ,” Liahona, Nov. 2020, 60)

What are some examples of small and simple things we can do to come closer to the Savior?

President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency reflected on what the children of Israel were asked to do to be healed and said, “Such a small thing for such a miraculous result!” He also shared some small and simple acts that would bring us closer to our Savior:

Consider the scripture study we’ve been taught to incorporate into our daily lives. Or consider the personal prayers and the kneeling family prayers that are regular practices for faithful Latter-day Saints. Consider attendance at seminary for youth or institute classes for young adults. Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth. …

Another source of spiritual uplift and growth is an ongoing practice of repenting, even of seemingly small transgressions. Our own inspired self-evaluations can help us see how we have fallen short and how we can do better. Such repentance should precede our weekly partaking of the sacrament. (“Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 90)

Supplemental Learning Activities

An alternative beginning

Consider watching a video of the Savior healing others, such as “Jesus Christ Has Compassion and Heals the People” from time code 1:43 to 6:19.

• If the Savior were here today, who might you want to bring to Him for healing? Why?

• Other than illnesses, what are some of the other ways the Savior can heal?

The scriptures recount many times when the Savior healed people from illnesses, blindness, leprosy, and those who were “afflicted in any manner” (3 Nephi 17:9). The Savior also taught that his healings demonstrated what He could do for people spiritually (see Mark 2:2–11). Ponder what you personally would want the Lord’s help with and whether you have faith that He can heal you.

Symbols of the Savior

If it would be useful to focus on another symbol of the Savior in this chapter, write the words lamb, rock, and water on the board.

• What do these things have in common? (They were all used to symbolize the Savior.)

• How may they symbolize the Savior?

During the Israelites’ 40 years in the wilderness, the Lord used many different objects and experiences to teach them about His power to heal and provide for people who turn to Him. On two different occasions, the people murmured against Moses when they lacked water in the desert (see Exodus 17:1–4; Numbers 20:1–5).

Consider inviting half the class to read Exodus 17:5–6 and the other half to read Numbers 20:7–8, thinking about how these events can symbolically remind them about Jesus Christ. If needed, remind them that the Savior has been compared to a rock or a stone on multiple occasions (see Helaman 5:12; Moses 7:53).

• How did the events from these verses remind you of the Savior? (If you need help, consider studying Moses 7:53 and John 4:13–14.)

Just as the Israelites depended on God to provide water in the desert, we also depend on God to provide for our needs. Ponder how these symbols help you come to know the Lord better.