The Wilderness Serpents as a Warning of Israel's Idolatry and Exile

"Who led you through the wilderness." He hinted to them that they were destined to rebel against the Omnipresent, and to worship idolatry in exchange for the goodness that He lavished upon them, as it is said, "And I multiplied silver for her, and gold they made for Baal" (Hosea 2:10). And on account of this He was destined to exile them among the four kingdoms. "A fiery serpent and scorpion and thirst where there is no water" — this is the guilty kingdom, who are thirsty for the Holy Spirit and for words of Torah, as it is said, "Not a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD" (Amos 8:11). But in the time to come, "For I will pour water upon the thirsty" (Isaiah 44:3).