THE ROD OF AARON represents spiritual authority

 

"And 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." (Numbers 17:8 KJV)

Truly, that verse of scripture is for such a time as this!  The rod of Aaron represented the authority of resurrection power.  It was kept in the Ark of the Covenant as a token against the children of rebellion.

Who dares to rebel against the authority of our High Priest, Jesus Christ?  After His resurrection, Jesus said to His disciples:

 

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18  

 

The rod of Aaron, with its resurrection power, ended the disputes within the camp of Israel that began when the authority of the High Priest was challenged by the rebellion of Korah and others.

To this present day, the name Korah ("Core" of Jude 11) is represented as an example of great wickedness.  He was a man who was not content to be a servant; but strived for the highest place of authority.   He was a manipulator and with his clever arguments was able to draw 250 princes of the assembly into a rebellion against Moses and Aaron.*

Here is a very brief summary of some things that happened in the 16th and 17th Chapters of  Numbers:

After Korah, Dathan and Abiram had caused much murmuring, confusion and strife in the camp, the Lord spoke unto Moses saying:  

 

"Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

 

And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

 

So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came  out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children." Num 16:24-27

The record shows us that after Moses finished speaking the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.  Even the children of those wicked men perished --except the children of Korah.  (They left the house of their wicked father and preferred to do their assigned duties in the service of the Lord.)

Fire came down from heaven and consumed the 250 men who offered incense.   Still the murmuring and strife in the camp continued until 14,700  more people died of a plague. That plague was stayed because Aaron made an atonement for the people.

All that strife, suffering and death was caused by Korah and other evil men who had lusted after power.  So, the Lord instructed Moses to have the princes (of the twelve tribes of Israel) write their name upon his rod.  And Aaron's name was written upon the rod of Levi.

Then according to instructions, Moses laid the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.   All those rods were dead sticks when they were put in the sanctuary to spend the night;  but in the morning,  only one stick had resurrection power!

 

"And 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."  (Numbers 17:8 KJV)

"And the LORD said unto Moses, bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not."  verse 10

The resurrection power of Jesus Christ  is the proof of His authority to rule His People.  His rod, and no other rod,  can bring about peace and the unity of the faith.    

As for me, with the sons of Korah who were spared in the day of that great rebellion,  I will say: "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."  Ps 84:10

Donna Kupp

*  Note:  Jesus Christ was a descendant of Aaron as well as David.  The death and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ fulfills this promise made to Phinehas, a son of Aaron:

 

" ... Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

 

And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel." Numbers 25: 12-13 (KJV)

The priesthood of Aaron ended.  Nevertheless,  the covenant of peace:  an everlasting priesthood  continues  after the order of Melchisedic.   For the Father said to the Son:

 

"Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee"  Psa 2:7

 

and in another place

 

"Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedic." Psa 110:4  

 

(Please read:  Hebrews 5; Hebrews 6; and   Hebrews 7)

dk

I am not a Seventh Day Adventist (and never have been), a natural
Jew, or a Catholic.  I am simply the least of Christ's brethren who
love Him and keep His Commandments.

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