The author pauses here to explain, in the form of a midrash, the episode of the serpents found in Num 21:4-6. The same logic applies: what serves as punishment for enemies—in this case, Israel—is also a form of salvation and a reminder of God’s Law. He adds, moreover, that the miracle of healing was due to divine power (cf. Jn 3:14, 17), which governs life and death (13; cf. 1 Kgs 17:17-23; Ps 9:14; 107:17-19; Is 38:10-17). “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness…” has been used by the Bible itself to refer to other later events, including the example we find here. The message remains relevant today: “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert…”, so too, the Lord is present in the community and in personal life through the adverse events that happen unintentionally. It is not about asking, “What have I done, Lord, to deserve this?”, but rather, “What are you trying to tell me through this, Lord?”