Christ in all the scriptures Aaron's rod that budded

 Christ in all the scriptures 

Aaron's rod that budded      Numbers 17

Despite all that had happened the murmuring continued, and the Lord determined to bring it to an end.  He introduced the test of the rods.  The chapter is all about Aaron's rod, that budded in the holy place.  The rod is a rich symbol in scripture, encompassing authority, discipline, guidance, protection, and judgment.  It is interesting to trace the usage of bible words.  The rod was a kind of walking stick, useful also to ward off enemies troubling the flock, as well as guiding them to new pastures.  When called to Egypt, Moses' rod took on miraculous qualities, and was used by God to bring the supernatural plagues upon Egypt. (Exodus 4v2, v17, v20; 7v10, v20; 8v5, v16,; 9v23; 10v13).  He used the rod to part the Red Sea (14v16), and to smite the rock to bring water for the thirsty camp (17v6).  In the hand of Moses a humble stick of wood became "the rod of God"-refer Exodus 4v20 and 17v9.  The predominant thought of the "rod" in scripture is of Divine authority placed in the hands of men.  The Lord described the Assyrian as "the rod of His anger"-He would use the foreign king to bring discipline to wayward Israel (Isaiah 10v5).  He also used Israel as "the rod of His inheritance", when restored Israel fulfilled the will of God-Jeremiah 51v19-20.  It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for rod is the same as for "tribe" in scripture.  Out of 251 occurrences, 182 are translated tribe.  We thus conclude, that, in God's terms, a tribe is a community of people under the authority, discipline, protection, and guidance of the Sovereign Lord.  This is an important reminder of the necessity of correction in the life of believers who are called to recognise God's authority, and to submit to His guidance on their spiritual journey.  This is a solemn reminder that each group that calls itself a church today is under the authority of God.  

He commanded Moses to take rods from each of the tribes, with Aaron representing the tribe of Levi.  They were to place them before the ark of the covenant in the holy place, with each rod named after their tribe.  The answer to their leadership problem was from God.  The rods were examined and the dead wood of Aaron's rod had budded miraculously, producing overnight fruit, life from death.  There could be no argument to this.  Aaron, whose leadership had been challenged, was divinely established as high priest.  God determines who rules in His house.  There is no argument today who rules in God's house.  Hebrews 3v6 says it, "But Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end".  Hebrews 4v14, "Seeing then we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession".  Hebrews 6v20, "Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek".  Hebrews 8v1-2, "We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man".  It was God who called Aaron to be the high priest (Hebrews 7v4).  It was God who appointed Christ to lead the worship of the people of God from the sanctuary above.  He is the Head of the body the church, He endows it with gifts.  It is a challenge to His authority if either we promote to leadership those ungifted for the task; or we refuse those who are gifted their true place among us.  Christ gives the gifts and He expects them to be used for the benefit of all.  Those so gifted require good character to be effective.  If we are persuaded that our local spiritual leaders are appointed by Him, then we must submit to them according to Hebrews 13v7, v17.  The risen, glorified Lord Jesus has called and gifted men to lead us, and we should follow them in the measure they are followers of Christ.

Aaron's rod was preserved in the ark of the covenant, along with the tablets of stone and the golden pot of manna.  Our studies are of how the bible depicts Christ.  In the tablets of stone we have the Divine law unbroken and preserved in Christ.  In the pot of manna Christ is the spiritual provision and food of His people.  In the rod that budded we have life springing out of death, a wonder that was fulfilled in the resurrection of Christ.  "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"-17v8.  No doubt this is resurrection life, from a dead piece of wood there comes buds and flowers and fruit.  The subject of resurrection is massive and reveals that the resurrection of Christ guarantees the resurrection of every believer both physically and spiritually-Romans 8v11 and 1st Corinthians 15v51-54.  It also establishes Christ as Lord of the living and dead with all authority in His hands-Romans 14v9 and  1st Corinthians 15v22-25.  No one in the camp of Israel could doubt the message of Aaron's rod.  No one alive today should doubt that all authority in heaven and upon earth is given to Christ, and all who oppose Him are lost.  The fear of death gripped the hearts of the sceptics in Moses day, as it should do in our day.