Numbers 11–14; 20–24; 27: Lesson 57

Numbers 21

Looking to the Savior for Healing

Visit “Studying the Scriptures” to help prepare yourself spiritually to learn.

As the children of Israel continued through the wilderness, they complained against the Lord. God responded by sending a powerful reminder of their need to look to Him for both spiritual and physical healing. This lesson can help you look to Jesus Christ for healing.

Study the Scriptures

Learning tip. Symbolism in the scriptures is not always the same in each story. For example, in the Garden of Eden, Satan is depicted as a snake (see Genesis 3:1–6). However, not every snake in the scriptures represents Satan. In ancient times, snakes often represented power, both good and bad. Egyptian rulers, for example, used snakes in their headdresses or staffs to show their power.

Imagine you’re near the end of a hike. Suddenly, a large snake sinks its venomous fangs into your leg. You fall to the ground and feel a burning pain that begins to spread. What would you do next?

The children of Israel faced a similar situation while traveling through the wilderness.

Read the following passages, marking the answers to each question. It may be useful to know that fiery means “poisonous” (see Numbers 21:6, footnote a).

• 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?

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. Link this passage to Numbers 21:9 so that you can easily understand this symbolism next time you read this chapter.

Review the following study options. Complete one or more.

Option A

How can I find healing in simple things?

Many years later, Book of Mormon prophets gave more details about this story.

Read the following scriptures, looking for how the people responded to Moses’s instructions. Link each passage to Numbers 21:8–9.

• 1 Nephi 17:41

• Alma 33:18–21

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)

In your notebook, list 10 simple ways you can look to Christ.

• How can doing these things bring you healing in your life?

Option B

How can Jesus heal me?

The story of the brass serpent shows that Christ’s power to heal us extends beyond sin.

President Russell M. Nelson testified:

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)

Read the following passages, looking for the kind of healing Jesus offers. Consider tagging each passage as “healing” and “Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

• Alma 7:11–13. Alma prophesies what Christ will conquer.

• 3 Nephi 17:6–9. Jesus heals the Nephite multitude.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

Thus, the Savior has suffered not just for our sins and iniquities—but also for our physical pains and anguish, our weaknesses and shortcomings, our fears and frustrations, our disappointments and discouragement, our regrets and remorse, our despair and desperation, the injustices and inequities we experience, and the emotional distresses that beset us.

There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. (“Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 89–90)

Think of some pains, wounds, anguish, sorrows, infirmities, or weaknesses you experience in your life.

Reread Numbers 21:9. Make a note next to the verse, completing the following sentence:

• Just as Jesus healed the Israelites of serpent bites, He can heal me from …

Create a collage of your favorite pictures of Jesus Christ. Place it somewhere like on a mirror or as a phone background. Each time you see it, remember that you can be healed by looking to Christ.

Share Your Thoughts

Lesson Purpose: To help you look to Jesus Christ for healing.

Share one or more of the following with your teacher or class:

• Your list of 10 simple ways to look to Christ.

• Your collage of pictures of Christ.

• Something specific you did to achieve the purpose of this lesson.

• Any questions this lesson raised for you. How will you try to find answers to your questions?