Thoughts about Aaron's Rod

“THE ROD OF AARON…SPROUTED AND…PRODUCED BLOSSOMS.” NUMBERS 17:8 NKJV

New leadership was urgently needed in Israel. So God ordered an elder from each of the twelve tribes to bring a wooden staff with his name on it, and leave it overnight in the tabernacle. He said, “It shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom” (Numbers 17:5 NKJV). Next morning Aaron’s rod “sprouted and…produced blossoms.”

Please notice: (1) Whose rod blossomed – Aarons! Obviously God doesn’t pick His leaders because they’re perfect. Aaron’s résumé included making a golden calf for Israel to worship, then defending himself by saying, “That cow just walked out of the fire all by itself.” Would you pick somebody like that? God did. That’s because He hears the cry of our hearts, and sees in us qualities He can use to fulfill His purposes. Keep that in mind, next time a leader disappoints you. And remember it, should God call you to lead. (2) Where it blossomed – in the presence of the Lord. Certain things only happen in God’s presence. In Aaron’s case a walking stick came to life in “the tabernacle of meeting…where I meet with you” (Numbers 17:4 NKJV). Hey, rearrange your priorities. Schedule a set time to meet with God each day, and keep it. If you don’t, you won’t make it! (3) When it blossomed – during the darkness. In Genesis we read: “So the evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5 NKJV).

Observe, God starts your day with a nighttime experience. In order for your faith to blossom, it must first be incubated in the dark. Real faith only germinates in adversity, so if you try to escape, you lose the opportunity to move into higher realms of faith.