Emphasis Preaching Journal

One symbol of healing is a serpent entwined around a staff. Without knowing its biblical derivation (Numbers 21:6-9), it might appear to be a very threatening symbol indeed. Quite simply, many people are not terribly impressed with snakes, not in our time and not in Moses' time.
Moses fashioned a serpent of bronze and raised it on a pole. This provided rescue from death for anyone bitten by a real live one in the desert. Thus something most venomous became most venerated and a means of safety and health.