Why the serpent if no images were allowed?

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Ruh

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The Lord specifically instructed Moses, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image in the likeness of anything that is found in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth” (Ex 20:4). Yet, we find in Numbers 21:4-9 that the Lord directs Moses to fashion a saraph and mount it on a pole. I don’t understand? Would this violate the First Commandment? And of all things a snake.
 
Hi,

You have to look at the context. The point of the Lord’s concern about graven images was that the peoplr were not to WORSHIP them. He wasn’t against images as such. He also ordered golden cherubs to enhance the holy of holies. There is no contradiction here.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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