Numbers 17:8-13 – The Staff That Budded
Aaron’s staff is an obvious sign to the people that he is chosen to the priesthood, and not any other of the chiefs of the tribes. But it is also a very proper sign to represent the priesthood itself. The priesthood should be fruitful and serviceable to the church of God. It produces not only blossoms, but almonds; for the priesthood is designed, not only for an honour to Aaron, but for a blessing to Israel. In the same way Christ calls His followers (a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9) to go and bring forth fruit, and that their fruit should remain. This staff also shows that there should be a succession of priests. There are not only almonds for the present, but buds and blossoms promising more later. In the same way Christ has provided in His church that a seed shall serve Him from generation to generation. This staff is a type of Christ and His priesthood: for He is the man, the branch, that is to be a priest upon His throne; and He is to grow up before God, as this staff before the ark, like a tender plant, and a root out of a dry ground, Isa. 53:2.
Probably the buds, blossoms, and almonds of this staff stay fresh; the same power that produces them preserves them for ages, as a sign against the rebels. These things are done, these things written, so that we do not sin. What God does for the taking away of sin is done in real kindness to us. All the sharp methods he uses with us, are for the cure of a disease which otherwise would certainly be fatal.
The people seem to speak despairingly, as if God is a hard Master, so that if they step even just a little beyond their bounds, they must die. It is a very wicked thing to complain against God when we are being disciplined, and in our distress to sin even more.
Questions
- What happened to Aaron’s staff?
- What is to be done with the staff?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the mercy God shows us.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.