“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” (Num. 17:8).
THERE were no separate stages of development: but life was seen in every phase at the same time—bud: budding: blossoms blooming: fruit maturing.
This is a beautiful picture of what should be seen in the Christian life—growth, fragrance, fruit: all abundantly evident: and increasingly so. The Spirit-filled life ever shedding forth the fragrance of praise and thanksgiving (Eph. 5:18-20: Col. 3:16): joy (Rom. 5:11): rejoicing (1 Pet. 1:8): gladness (Ps. 97:11, 12): grace, abounding more and more (2 Cor. 4:15): the light, shining more and more (Pro. 4:18). Flourishing like the palm: growing like the cedar (Ps. 92:12): blossoming like the lily (Hos. 14:5 Marg.).
The Lord said: “The man’s rod whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from Me, the murmurings” (Num. 17:5: Deut. 28: 47, 48). If the light is to shine: if God to be glorified: peace, happiness, contentment, must reign. There must be blossom, or there will be no fruit.
“It yielded almonds.”
The child of God is chosen that he should bring forth fruit (John 15:16): good fruit (Matt. 3:17): much fruit (John 15:8): more fruit (John 15:2): fruit unto God (Rom. 7:4): a fruit that shall not be consumed (imperishable, abiding) (Ezek. 47:12: John 15:16). “He shall be as a tree planted by the waters . . . that shall not . . . cease from yielding fruit” (Jer. 17:8).
How is this life sustained, this beauty preserved, this fruitfulness ensured? Aaron’s rod budded, blossomed, bore fruit: as it lay before the ark of the testimony— God’s meeting-place for man.
In proportion as the child of God is found at God’s appointed meeting-place (Heb. 4:16): abiding under the shadow of the Almighty (Ps. 91:1): frequenting the secret of His presence (Ps. 31:20: Heb. 10:19): hiding in His pavilion (Ps. 27:5): will he, in continual fellowship with Himself: beholding as in a glass His glory: be changed into the same image, from glory to glory: and his life will be progressive, fragrant, fruitful.
“From Me is thy fruit found” (Hos. 14:5-8).
“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them?” (Hos. 14:9).
E. A. H.