The Brass Serpent

The Israelites wandering the desert complain to Moses and refuse to listen to God. God sends a plague of snakes to attack the people. When Moses pleads with God to have mercy, He sends Moses a Brass Snake which Moses lifts on his staff. All those who look at the snake are healed; those who refuse to do so, die. The scales of the snake are used for the Temple doors a thousand years later.