Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:9

"Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents." — 1 Corinthians 10:9 (ASV)

Neither let me tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

I do not have time to mention the many ways in which we can tempt Christ; but we can readily do so still. What a dreadful doom it was to be destroyed by serpents! Yet is it not very wonderful that, in connection with this great sin, and its awful punishment, the brazen serpent was lifted high, that whoever looked to it might live? And now, if any have tempted Christ by presumptuous sin, by their delay, or by their infidelity, let them bless God that they are not yet destroyed by serpents, because Christ has been lifted up even as the serpent of brass was exalted above the camp of Israel.

Remember our Lord's words to Nicodemus: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.