25: Aaron’s Staff: Mindful God and Their Crooked Mind (Num 17)

The Lord made a miracle on Aaron's staff and ended the dispute about the priestly leadership.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read Numbers 17

Why did God make them to bring twelve staff and make Aaron’s staff sprout? (5, 10)

 

As God warned them not to approach Him except God’s chosen priest, what was people’s response?

 

Answers and Meditation

To end their murmuring against Aaron before the Lord so that they won’t die

God asked them to bring staff from twelve tribes and made Aaron’s staff bud. The budded staff became a sign that the Lord had chosen Aaron.

God took the initiative to provide a visible sign for them. Thus, He protected Aaron's leadership and kept the people's lives from being killed in their presumptuous approach to God. 

 

Anyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle will die

God performed the miracle and left it as a sign for them to know only Aaron was allowed for the priest's office so they wouldn't die. However, they interpreted it as a threat and said they would die even if they came near the Tabernacle. They were banned from burning incense not from coming close to the Tabernacle.

This reminds us of Eve’s misunderstanding of God’s command. God had said, ‘Do not eat the fruit.’ But she thought she could not even touch it. When you misunderstand God’s words, you will misinterpret God’s heart. 

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