Are We Going to Die
The book of Numbers chapter seventeen continues the saga of the Jewish people’s struggle to believe in God’s chosen leadership for their nation. But this would be the final action. God was done with the nonsense. When God is done with something, it is done with. God commands Moses to get a walking staff from each of the leaders of all twelve tribes of the Israelite nation. Aaron's staff would be used for the tribe of Levi. All twelve staff were laid before the ark of the covenant in the tent of meeting overnight.
God told Moses what was intended to happen. The staff of God’s chosen leader would sprout! Remember, these are dead pieces of wood held in the hands of men for years. They were pounded against the ground as their owners traveled. They stood silent in the corners of the homes, out of the rain and out of the sunlight when they were not in use. These were hard, dead wood worked smooth by the palm of their holders as they walked the earth.
God had enough to the rebellious bickering of the people of Israel. Through a miracle of Aaron’s budding staff, God finished the matter.
These same staff were placed before the Lord at the tent of meeting and stayed there for one night. The next morning Moses collected the staff. God had done what He said He would do. But not just that, He had done more. Aaron’s staff had not only sprouted (brought forth leaves). It had also budded (flowered) and even produced almonds (fruit of the tree). When God supports a leader, He does so undeniably. God will make His selection so evident that there is no question about the rebellious nature of those who oppose.
But this budding staff was not only a declaration of God’s backing for Aaron’s leadership within the priesthood. It was also a memorial to the rebellion that brought the Israelites to the brink of destruction. While all the other tribes received their staff back, Aaron did not get his staff. God had that staff placed before the ark of the covenant in remembrance of the people’s rebellion against Him. He did this so that the people’s grumbling against God would end and so that “they [the rebellious people] will not die.”
God used the sign of His choice for leadership as a sign for remembrance of the people’s rejecting God’s leaders. Therefore, God would not have to destroy the people for their rebellion against Him. Yet this chapter ends with the people telling Moses, “We will die! We are all lost.” And asking, “Are we all going to die?” What a weird way to end the chapter. The people just could not trust God.
Do you trust God? Has the staff produced fruit in your life? Have you accepted the sign? Accepted God’s choice? Or are you still wondering if God is on your side, in control, and correct in His decisions?