Numbers 17:1-13


There are times when we just want to resolve things once and for all.  I get the sense in this passage that God is simply tired of having to establish the leadership of Moses and Aaron over the children of Israel. He decides to use a clear sign that will demonstrate to all that Aaron is the one who has been chosen to be the priest over the people.  God is capable of both establishing and defending His leaders.  It is a comfort to know that He is in charge and that we can rest in Him.

GOD PREPARES A TEST: God instructs each head of each tribe to bring a rod with their name written on it and place it before the altar.  God promises to demonstrate in clear way the person He had chosen.  Every man had the same opportunity and must have felt that there was some reason that he deserved to be the priest.  God does this in an effort to demonstrate His approval and appointment of Aaron and thereby squelch some of the rebellion that had been going on in the camp.  It is absolutely vital that leaders have the support of their people and God is taking steps to make sure that Aaron has this support.

GOD PROVES AARON IS LEADER: Of all of the rods only Aaron’s blossomed and gave ripe fruit over night.  God could take this old dead piece of wood and turn it into a productive fruit tree.  God is able to do the same things with people.  None of us really are much more than dead pieces of wood, but God, in His grace, is able to use us in wonderful ways.  Producing fruit is impossible for any man apart from Christ so it is vital that we abide in Him in order to produce fruit for the glory of God.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more