Numbers 17:1-111And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod. 3And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. 4And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. 5And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. 6And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. 7And Moses laid up the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. 8And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 9And Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. 10And the Lord said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. 11And Moses did so: as the Lord commanded him, so did he. (Numbers 17:1‑11)
“AND THE Lord spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers,... twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod. And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi:... And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom”
In the last chapter Aaron, standing between the dead and the living till the plague was stayed, is a wonderful picture of Christ standing between His people and the angel of death. Now in Aaron’s rod, laid up before God and then bursting forth into life, we have another lovely type of Christ as the One who has lain in death but has risen out of it in resurrection power. He went into death in order that He might burst its bands, He has forever rolled away the stone, but more than this, He has forever freed His own held captive in the chains of death. Now He gives eternal life to whomsoever He will.
The Lord Jesus went into the strong man’s house (death), bound him and spoiled his goods (Matt. 10:2929Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. (Matthew 10:29)). Now He has the keys of hell and of death. In Hebrews 2:14-1714Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:14‑17) we read, “that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage... that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God.” Heb. 2:14-1714Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:14‑17). What a glorious Saviour we have! He alone is worthy and fitted to be God’s High Priest and to sit upon the throne of His glory!
Aaron’s rod that budded, bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds spoke of God’s grace and goodness; it was also an assurance of His mercy. But it was also “to be kept for a token against the rebels” as a reminder of their sin. When the Lord Jesus came to this earth He was rejected by His people and He went back to heaven. His presence there is a “token against the rebels” now.
Just as Aaron’s rod, laid up in the ark was hidden from the eyes of Israel, so is Christ hidden from their view now. But after the Church is gathered home to heaven, He will appear again to the remnant of His people who will receive Him in that day. No longer will there be the token against them, for their sins and iniquities He will remember no more. He will quite take away their murmurings, and Israel will bear fruit to God.
In Aaron’s rod, breaking forth into life and fruitfulness, we are reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus: “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24). He was that grain of wheat that has brought forth much fruit to God. And this same gospel tells us that we who now have this same resurrection life in Him are chosen and ordained to bring forth much fruit to the Father’s praise and His glory. “He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit.” (Chap. 15:5).
ML-12/09/1973