Numbers 17

Numbers 17:1

17:1-9 In order to emphasize to the people that the priesthood was committed only to the family of Aaron, God commanded that a rod for each tribe of Israel be placed in the tabernacle overnight. The rod of Levi had Aaron’s name on it. The right to the priesthood belonged to the rod that blossomed. In the morning, when the rods were examined, it was found that Aaron’s rod . . . had sprouted with buds, had produced blossoms, and yielded ripe almonds. Aaron’s rod pictures the resurrected Christ as the Priest of God’s choosing. Just as the almond tree is the first to blossom in the spring, so Christ is the firstfruits of resurrection (1Co_15:20, 1Co_15:23).

The golden lampstand in the holy place was “made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower” (Exo_25:33-34). It was a priestly function to take care of the lampstand daily. Aaron’s rod corresponded in design and fruit to the lampstand, thus signifying that the household of Aaron had been divinely chosen to minister as priests. 17:10-13 From now on, Aaron’s rod was to be kept in the ark of the covenant as a token sign against the rebels. After this, the people were seized with terror and feared to go into the general vicinity of the tabernacle.