Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he [Moses] lifted up the Brazen Serpent in the Wilderness, even so shall he [the Messiah] be lifted up who should come. And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal.
In the ancient world, the serpent was a symbol for God. The great imitator and deceiver then impersonated Christ by taking the form of a serpent. The serpent was a symbol of judgment, life, and death. The serpent had power over life as a bite could kill. It also symbolized power over death as the skin of a snake was shed and a renewed serpent emerged as if it had been resurrected. It was a symbol of wisdom and the creation of the cosmos.
When Moses visited with the premortal Jesus known as Jehovah at the burning bush, Moses was given power over life and over the waters. When Moses came to Pharoah, Jesus transformed his staff into a serpent. The court magicians through their trickery and false mimicry also turned their staffs into serpents. Moses’ serpent then consumed the serpents of the magicians symbolizing the future Messiah’s triumph over false imitations. After the hosts of Israel left Egypt, they were in the wilderness and poisonous snakes bit them. Moses created a brass serpent and lifted it up, symbolizing the future Messiah. Anyone who would look to the brass serpent in faith was healed from the poisonous bite. In like manner, when we fall into deception and sin, if we look to Christ in faith we will be healed.
Behold, he [the Messiah] was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type [and symbol] was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. But few understood the meaning of those things… O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly… then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.
Hopes of Glory 