Numbers
chapter 17 provides a symbol of God’s authority and an enduring
reminder of the hope we have in Christ. In the previous chapter God
had judged the rebellion of Korah and the other men that challenged
Moses. Here, God instructs Moses to “Get
twelve staffs… one from the leader of each ancestral tribe“.
He adds, “Write
the name of each man on his staff. On the staff of Levi, write
Aaron’s name.”
A shepherd’s staff was a symbol of his leadership; it was used to
protect his sheep, but it was also used to guide and correct them.
God instructs Moses to “Place
the staffs in the Tent of Meeting, in front of the Testimony, where I
meet with you. The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout,
and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling against you by the
Israelites“.
Notice the purpose of the test was to confirm God’s choice of the
shepherd of the nation. Also don’t miss the personal way God
describes the complaints against His chosen authority. We sometimes
have a difficult time accepting those whom God puts in authority over
us. God has appointed leaders at home, at work, in the church, even
in government. 1 Timothy 2:1 urges us to pray “for
all those in authority“.
Are you complaining or praying for your leaders?
“The
next Day, Moses entered the Tent of Meeting and saw that Aaron’s
staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted,
but had blossomed and produced almonds.”
God’s promises always exceed our expectations once we accept His
authority! “Then
Moses brought out all the staffs from the Lord’s presence to all the
Israelites. They looked at them, and each man took his own staff.”
Clearly each tribe saw they were not given God’s authority. Next
God commands, “Put
back Aaron’s staff in front of the Testimony to be kept as a sign for
the rebellious. This will put an end to the grumbling against Me, so
they will not die.”
The budding staff was a symbol of God’s acceptance of Aaron and his
descendants as priests of Israel. The chapter ends with a strange
reaction from the nation. They said to Moses, “We
are lost, we are all lost! Anyone that even comes to the Tabernacle
of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?”
The people must have known the rebellion in their hearts to react
this way.
Some
people ask what is the truth of God’s Word? According to the apostle
Paul in 1 Timothy 2:4-5, God wants, “all
men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is
one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
who gave Himself as a ransom for all men.”
Each of us can accept that, or reject that; there is no middle
ground. Remember what the nation of Israel asked without a mediator;
“Are we going to die?” The budding of Aaron’s staff reminds us
of the eternal life we have through the resurrection of Christ. How
will you respond?