Numbers Chapter 17
1 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them, one for each fathers' house, of all their princes according to their fathers' houses, twelve rods. Write each man's name on his rod.
3 You shall write Aaron's name on Levi's rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers' houses.
4 You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you.
5 It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you, cease from me."
6 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, a total of twelve rods. Aaron's rod was amongst their rods.
7 Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.
8 On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron's rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.
9 Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the children of Israel. They looked, and each man took his rod.
10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put back the rod of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that you may make an end of their complaining against me, that they not die."
11 Moses did so. As the LORD commanded him, so he did.
12 The children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, "Behold, we perish! We are undone! We are all undone!
13 Everyone who keeps approaching the LORD's tabernacle, dies! Will we all perish?"
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Numbers Chapter 17 Guide
That the murmuring of the people against the divine government was an evil thing is emphasized by the fact that a supernatural sign was given in final vindication of Aaron's position. The reason for giving the sign was declared in the words, "I will make to cease from Me the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you." The spirit of rebellion manifested itself afterward in different ways and for different reasons, but it seems probable that any complaint against the rights of the God-appointed leadership of Moses and the priesthood of Aaron ceased at this time.
The sign granted was simple, but it was luminously suggestive. Twelve princes representing the twelve tribes were commanded to bring rods having their names inscribed on them and to lay them before the Lord. Aaron's rod budded, blossomed, and bore fruit. These effects were patiently the result of divine action, and thus men were taught that the position of Aaron was not due to anything inherent in him but to the direct appointment and equipment of Jehovah.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Numbers Chapter 17 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Twelve rods laid up before the Lord. -- (1-7)
- Aaron's rod buds, and is kept for a memorial. -- (8-13)
Verses 1-7
It is an instance of the grace of God, that, having wrought divers miracles to punish sin, he would work one more to prevent it. Twelve rods or staves were to be brought in. It is probable that they were the staves which the princes used as ensigns of their authority; old dry staves, that had no sap in them. They were to expect that the rod of the tribe, or prince, whom God chose to the priesthood, should bud and blossom. Moses did not object that the matter was sufficiently settled already; he did not undertake to determine it; but left the case before the Lord.
Verses 8-13
While all the other rods remained as they were. Aaron's rod became a living branch. In some places there were buds, in others blossoms, in others fruit, at the same time; all this was miraculous. Thus Aaron was manifested to be under the special blessing of Heaven. Fruitfulness is the best evidence of a Divine call; and the plants of God's setting, and the boughs cut off them, will flourish. This rod was preserved, to take away the murmurings of the people, that they might not die. The design of God, in all his providences, and in the memorials of them, is to take away sin. Christ was manifested to take away sin. Christ is expressly called a rod out of the stem of Jesse: little prospect was there, according to human views, that he should ever flourish. But the dry rod revived and blossomed to the confusion of his adversaries. The people cry, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish! This was the language of a repining people, quarrelling with the judgments of God, which by their own pride and obstinacy they brought upon themselves. It is very wicked to fret against God when we are in affliction, and in our distress thus to trespass yet more. If we die, if we perish, it is of ourselves, and the blame will be upon our own heads. When God judges, he will overcome, and will oblige the most obstinate gainsayers to confess their folly. And how great are our mercies, that we have a clearer and a better dispensation, established upon better promises!
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.