Today's Reading:

Numbers 17
Numbers 18
Numbers 19
Numbers 20

Aaron’s staff budded with blossoms and ripe almonds, such a vivid display of grace. God chose a gentle and beautiful sign of life from death: a dead staff that sprouted, budded and blossomed then produced ripe almonds overnight. This was a true and pure confirmation that Aaron was chosen for the priesthood. The affirmation of Aaron was to keep the Israelites from bringing on more judgment and death over arguing who was to lead. In a season of mass rebellion and complaint, God did not respond with another wave of destruction- He answered with fruitful life, a quiet reminder that His choice stands firm and His mercy reaches even to the desert.  

 

 

After God’s patience and grace with the Israelites during the rebellion in the wilderness, He then spoke to Moses again. Moses was told to have each leader of the tribes bring a staff with their names engraved on them as well as Aaron’s name for the Levites and put them in front of the Tent of Meeting overnight. God would then choose one leader from those 13 staffs; the staff would sprout as a sign, then they were to stop grumbling about who was appointed the leader. Aaron’s staff not only sprouted but budded and blossomed with an almond- that could only happen overnight by God’s help. After the fire, and earthquake that swallowed people and plagues all causing death, a flowering stick finally stopped the complaining for a while. The staffs were placed in front of the Ark of the Covenant, before the Testimony—the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (later accompanied by the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded)—as a sign to everyone not to forget whom God had chosen. The Israelites finally realized their arrogance in challenging Aaron for the priesthood.  

The duties and responsibilities of the High Priest, Aaron, and his sons were reviewed once again—don’t mess this up! The priests were in charge of the sanctuary, the altar, and all the holy items. They received portions of the offerings, first fruits, and tithes as their “inheritance,” since God Himself was their portion, and they were not given any land allotments. The Levites were tasked with caring for the Tabernacle and performing all associated duties. They received a share of food and tithes for their service, but like the priests, they were not given land, and a portion of what they received was to be dedicated back to God. 

Chapter 19 gave the purification rules for how to make holy water. A red heifer cow without defect and never yoked (not oxen) was to be slaughtered and burned, not sacrificed outside of the camp to get ashes. The ashes were mixed with water, then hyssop was used to sprinkle — cedar, hyssop, and scarlet were burned with the heifer. The water was used to purify anyone after touching a dead body to clean them and make them ready to be restored to God.  

Miriam, Moses and Aaron’s sister died in the Desert of Zin. There was no water, so the Israelites were complaining again. God told Moses to take Aaron’s staff and speak to the rock to produce water. In frustration of the people, Moses said, “must we bring water from the rock?” and hit the rock twice. Notice the two wrongs- They made themselves look like God and did not honor and trust Him as the one who brought the water. They also did not speak to the rock, Moses hit it. Despite the disobedience God let the water flow, but He judged Moses and Aaron and said that neither would be able to enter the Promised Land. This fulfilled the prophecy that no one from that generation would enter the Promised Land.  

Traveling farther they reached the land of the King of Edom, known as the Edomites (descendants of Jacobs brother, Esau). Moses asked if the Israelites could travel along the “Kings Highway” which was the name of the stretch of road, a trade route, that traveled South to North from Egypt through Israel to Mesopotamia. The King of Edom refused to let them pass peacefully even showing them his large army as a deterrent. God will remember this refusal which will eventually lead to their downfall (books of Obadiah and Ezekiel). 

From Kadesh they traveled to Mount Hor where Aaron was to die. In a change of guard Aaron handed over his priestly clothes to his son Eleazar to be the new high priest. God had upheld that Aaron would not see the Promised Land, yet ensured the priestly duties continued with Aaron’s descendants. Another quiet reminder of His unchanging commitment even in judgment. God’s grace showed even in hard places to find: a dead staff blooming almonds, water gushing from a rock despite Moses’ failure, and the priestly duties passed on through generations. In your own life of waiting or transition is there an impossible situation that you think God might be bringing to life like the “dead staff”. How does seeing His faithfulness to the complaining Israelites encourage you to keep trusting Him through it? I’d love to hear your comments! 

Today's Discussion question: 

In your own life of waiting or transition, is there an impossible situation that you think God might be bringing to life like the “dead staff”? How does seeing His faithfulness to the complaining Israelites encourage you to keep trusting Him through it? I’d love to hear your comments!

 
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