NUMBERS LESSON 23
We will begin this lesson in Numbers 17:1 "And the LORD spake
unto Moses, saying,"
This message is, probably, given on the same day. God will settle
the question of whether Aaron is called of the LORD to be high priest,
or not.
Numbers 17:2 "Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of
every one of them a rod according to the house of [their] fathers, of
all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods:
write thou every man's name upon his rod."
Each tribe of Israel was considered a branch, or a rod, of Jacob.
This rod of each of the leaders of each tribe, represented that
particular tribe. Since there were twelve tribes, there were twelve
rods. The rod of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, would be in addition
to these rods. Ephraim and Manasseh were both of the tribe of Joseph,
but each were given a tribe of their own. Each of the rods had the
name of their tribe written on it.
Numbers 17:3 "And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of
Levi: for one rod [shall be] for the head of the house of their
fathers."
There was no prince for the tribe of Levi, but it was undisputed
that Aaron was their leader.
Numbers 17:4 "And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the
congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you."
Moses would lay these rods up in the tabernacle of testimony.
They would be lain in front of the ark, in the presence of the Lord.
Numbers 17:5 "And it shall come to pass, [that] the man's rod,
whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me
the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against
you."
The miraculous blooming of this rod, would settle the dispute
forever of whether Aaron was to lead the people as high priest, or
not. This will be a permanent sign from the LORD, that He has chosen
Aaron for the job of high priest. This rod is from a stick that has
been removed from the branch for quite a long time. By normal
standards, it would be dead wood. For it to bloom is miraculous.
Numbers 17:6 "And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and
every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one,
according to their fathers' houses, [even] twelve rods: and the rod of
Aaron [was] among their rods."
The prince of each tribe had a rod with his name on the rod. The
rods, including Aaron's rod were put before the LORD in front of the
ark of covenant.
Numbers 17:7 "And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the
tabernacle of witness."
We, also, see that Aaron did not put the rods there, Moses did.
There was nothing peculiar about Aaron's rod. God would prove Aaron's
call to be high priest in this.
Numbers 17:8 "And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went
into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the
house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed
blossoms, and yielded almonds."
First of all, this is one day later. Not only did the rod bloom,
but produced full grown almonds. The word almond was translated from
means awake. The almond is the first of the trees to produce in the
spring. This miraculous growth was overnight. The blossoms and the
full grown almonds were actually at different stages of growth. This
is a sign from God. Aaron's rod had no special ability to live and
produce fruit, any more than did any of the other rods. It was the
Spirit of God, that caused Aaron's rod to bloom. Aaron's abilities are
not within himself. They are in the office of high priest, and through
the anointing power of the LORD upon him.
Numbers 17:9 "And Moses brought out all the rods from before the
LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every
man his rod."
The princes could not go into the area where the rods were left,
because God would have killed them. Moses brought all the rods out for
them to see. Each person claimed the rod with his name on it.
Numbers 17:10 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod
again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels;
and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die
not."
After all of the princes saw Aaron's rod that bloomed, the Lord
had Moses to bring it into the holy of holies. Any time there was any
question, again, about Aaron's authority, they could see the rod that
bloomed, and know Aaron is the high priest that God anointed for the
job. Actually, the rod of Aaron, the manna, and the stones with the
ten commandments were kept in the ark itself. The murmurings should
stop now. This should close the mouths of the rebellious.
Numbers 17:11 "And Moses did [so]: as the LORD commanded him, so
did he."
Moses did exactly as God had commanded him to do.
Numbers 17:12 "And the children of Israel spake unto Moses,
saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish."
I believe the people suddenly realize their error in questioning
Moses and Aaron. They know they were wrong, and think that God will
kill them for their doubt and questioning. This is as if they are
saying, "I have sinned". Perhaps, they deserved to die, but God will
let them live. They are defeated and disheartened. Perhaps, their
rebellion against God is over.
Numbers 17:13 "Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the
tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?"
This is understandable, since so many have died recently at the
tabernacle. Truly they all will die in the wilderness. The only people
who can go into the holy place, or into the holy of holies, are the
high priest and the priests.
There is a lesson, here, for the ministers and the members of
churches. God puts whoever He chooses in as the minister of the
church. He has jobs for all of us to do, but they are of His choosing
and not our own. We, also, learned to have respect for the office of
the priesthood, or those God has placed in authority over us.
Numbers 23 Questions
1. When was this message given to Moses?
2. What was Moses to take from the prince of each tribe?
3. How many tribes were there?
4. Aaron's rod represented the tribe of ________
5. Ephraim and Manasseh were from the tribe of __________.
6. How could they determine who each rod belonged to?
7. There was no _________ of the tribe of Levi.
8. Where was Moses to take the rods?
9. What will happen to the rod of the man, that God has chosen to be
high priest?
10. What will this cause the people to stop doing?
11. The rod that bloomed would be a __________ sign from the LORD,
that He had chosen Aaron for high priest.
12. By normal standards, this rod is ________ ________.
13. Where was Aaron's rod put?
14. Who actually put the rods there?
15. What had happened to Aaron's rod?
16. Had the same thing happened to the others?
17. It was the _________ of God that caused Aaron's rod to bloom.
18. Where does Aaron's ability come from?
19. Where were the rods examined?
20. Where was Aaron's rod to be kept?
21. What else was kept in the same area?
22. What did the children of Israel say to Moses?
23. Whatsoever cometh anything near unto the tabernacle of the LORD
shall _____.
24. What are some lessons ministers and members of churches can get
from this lesson?
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