Budding of the Staffs

Numbers Chapter 17

The Lord told Moses to take twelve wooden staffs, one from each of Israel’s ancestral tribes and inscribe each tribal leader’s name on his staff. Inscribe Aaron’s name of the staff of the tribe of Levi. Put the staffs in the Tabernacle in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Buds will sprout on the staff belonging to the man I choose, said the Lord. Then the Lord said this system would put an end to the murmuring and complaining against Moses.

So Moses gave instructions to the people of Israel and each of the leaders brought a staff to Moses. He put them in the Lord’s presence in the Tabernacle of the Covenant. The next day when he went into the Tabernacle, he found that Aaron’s staff representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, blossomed and produced almonds.
Then Moses brought out all the staffs and showed them to the people. Each man claimed his own staff and the Lord told Moses to put Aaron’s staff permanently before the Ark as a warning to rebels. The Lord said that the staffs should put an end to the complaints and prevent further deaths.

Then the people of Israel told Moses that they were as good as dead. Ruined! Anyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle of the Lord dies. They thought they were all doomed!

BIBLE NOTES SHOW how bitter and complaining the Israelites had become, in spit of seeing all kinds of miracles. They remained blind and ignorant.

How does this chapter relate to us today? We have centuries of evidence, a Bible in many translations, archaeological evidence and historical studies and still some people today are blind and ignorant.

Aren’t there times when you feel God’s presence or that he has healed you or somebody you know. Or that he has protected you in some way? These are blessings that shouldn’t be ignored. Spiritual awareness is all around us. Talk to those who have experienced God’s blessings. Don’t be a skeptic, you only hurt yourself and anger God.

Yours in Christ,
Mary