Numbers 17
McGeeCHAPTER 17THEME: Office of Aaron is attested by resurrectionNow God is going to confirm the priesthood of Aaron and establish the fact that he is the high priest. He will establish this by resurrection!
Numbers 17:1
OFFICE OF AARON IS ATTESTED BY RESURRECTIONThe children of Israel were murmuring against Aaron saying that he was not the only one who could represent them before God. It was a rebellion against him.
Numbers 17:6
Now God confirms his priesthood in a most remarkable manner. God had the prince of each of the twelve tribes bring a rod. These rods were picked up out on the desertprobably whittled out and decorated by carvingsbut they were dead wood. Then these rods were placed before the Lord in the tabernacle. Aaron’s rod was there among the others, and his rod was as dead as all the others. But what happened?
Numbers 17:8
This is life out of death. Aaron’s priesthood was confirmed by resurrection. Aaron’s rod brought forth buds, and blossoms, and fruit! Life out of death. Resurrection. In the springtime the blooming of plants which have been dormant all winter does not illustrate life out of death. Neither does the egg. There is a germ of life in the egg. The perfect illustration of the resurrection of Christ is Aaron’s rod that budded. The priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ rests upon the fact of His resurrection. We are told very frankly in the seventh chapter of Hebrews that if He were here on earth, He would not be a priest. He did not come from the priestly tribe of Levi. His resurrection made Him a priest. Then it tells us that not every man becomes a priest. “And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron” (Heb_5:4). Aaron was God’s called priest. The evidence was the budded rodthe resurrection. The Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and He became our High Priest. He has an unchangeable priesthood and so “…he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb_7:25). At this very moment, He is at God’s right hand. He is there for you and for me today. One of the greatest privileges we have is being able to go to Him. He is our Great High Priest who makes intercession for us. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb_4:14-16). Friend, do you need mercy? Do you need help today? Is life monotonous? Is it stale, flat, and unprofitable? Then go to the Lord Jesus. He is up there for you, your Great High Priest. Are you lonely? Go to Him. Is life a battle that you are losing? Are you defeated? Go to Him. Is life a struggle against temptation that you cannot overcome? Go to Him. Is life a horrible mistake and you need wisdom at the crossroads of decision? Go to Him. Is life shrouded with sorrow for you today? Go to Him. He is our Great High Priest by His resurrection from the dead. He is alive! He is up there for us today!
Numbers 17:9
Aaron’s rod that budded and blossomed and brought forth almonds is to be kept for a testimony and for a token. This rod was one of the three items which were kept in the ark of the covenant: “…the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant” (Heb_9:4). The tables of stone on which were written the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna, and the rod that budded were preserved inside the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle. The rod forever settled the question as to the priesthood of Aaron.