Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

Shielded by divine power, they had not realized the many
dangers that surrounded them. In their unbelief they expected death,
and now the Lord permitted death to come to them. The poisonous
snakes that infested the wilderness were called fiery serpents
because their sting caused violent inflammation and speedy death.
As the protecting hand of God was removed, great numbers of the
people were attacked by these venomous creatures.
In almost every tent were the dying or the dead. Often the
silence of night was broken by piercing cries that told of fresh
victims. All were busy caring for sufferers or trying to protect those
not yet attacked. When compared with their present suffering, the
former difficulties and trials of the people seemed unworthy of a
thought.
The people now came to Moses with confessions and
pleadings. "We have sinned," they said, "for we have spoken against
the Lord and against you." Only a short time before, they had
accused him of being the cause of all their distress and afflictions.
But as soon as real trouble came, they ran to him as the only one
who could intercede with God for them. "Pray to the Lord that He
take away the serpents from us."
God commanded Moses to make a serpent of bronze and to lift
it up among the people. All who had been bitten were to look to it
and find relief. The wonderful news was told that all who had been
bitten might look at the bronze serpent and live. Many had already
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