“Now it came to pass… that the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds” (Numbers 17:8).

Aaron was high priest in Israel. The LORD had selected him and his sons for the priesthood (Exodus 28-29; 40:12-16).

However, some had questioned the authority of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16:1-3). The leaders in this were Korah (of the tribe of Levi), and Dathan, Abiram, and On (as the tribe of Reuben).

Evidence of Moses’ authority to lead Israel is provided in Numbers 16. Moses said, “By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all of these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the LORD” (Numbers 16:28-30). The earth opened and swallowed the leaders of this rebellion (Numbers 16:31-34).

Evidence of Aaron’s priesthood is provided in Numbers 16-17. (1) Negatively: Fire from the LORD consumed two hundred and fifty who decided that they could serve as priest and offer incense before the LORD (Numbers 16:35). (2) Positivity: Aaron’s rod blossomed (Numbers 17:8). Twelve rods were gathered, one from each tribe. A name was written on each rod. Aaron’s name was written on the rod of Levi. The LORD said to Moses, “The rod of the man I choose will blossom (Numbers 17:5). Aaron’s rod returned to life.

Application For Us

First, Jesus is our High Priest. Proof? He was begotten from the dead. “And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’ As He also says in another place ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek'” (Hebrews 5:4-6). Verse 5 is a quotation of Psalm 2:7. It refers to the coronation. He was begotten from the dead (cf. Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4). Verse 6 is a quotation of Psalm 110:4. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is both a king and a priest. Like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest – though not from the tribe of Levi. Once more, Proof: (a) The resurrection is proof that Jesus has authority from God. (b) The scriptures foretold of one who would be both king and priest.

Second, God is powerful. He can do all things that are amazing. He can make a rod of wood live again. He can resurrect a crucified Jesus. Furthermore, He can raise us (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 8:11).

Third, to reject Jesus is to reject God. Moses said that those who had rebelled against him and Aaron “have rejected the LORD” (Numbers 16:30). Likewise, to reject Jesus is to reject God (Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20; 1 John 2:22-23).