Numbers 17:1 - Meaning and Application

Here God gave orders for one rod to be brought in from each tribe. That was fitting, because the word used here for a rod can also mean a tribe (see Numbers 34:13). By a special miracle, God would show plainly which family he had chosen for the priesthood.

This shows that the priesthood was seen as an office worth seeking, even by the leaders of the tribes. It is an honor for even the greatest people to serve God. Still, some may have wanted it more for power and gain than for its holy duty. It also shows how stubborn the people were, because even after so much had already happened, some were still ready to challenge God’s choice. They would not accept his appointment, but would keep pushing their own claim. They were fighting with God over who would rule.

It is also a sign of God’s grace that, after using many miracles to punish sin, he would now work one more miracle to stop sin. God had made a way to leave the stubborn people without excuse and to silence every complaint. Israel was quick to grumble against both God and their leaders. So God said, “I will put an end to the complaints of the people of Israel” (Numbers 17:5). If anything could persuade them, this would. If this did not, nothing would.

This miracle would be like the sign of Jonah, which Jesus said would be given to his generation, meaning his own resurrection would be the clearest proof of his mission. The directions were these: twelve rods or staffs were to be brought in. They were probably not fresh branches cut from trees, because then the miracle would have been less striking. More likely, they were the old staffs the princes used as marks of their authority (Numbers 21:18), dry sticks with no life in them. It is also likely they were all made from almond wood. There were only twelve rods in all, including Aaron’s, because Levi was counted under Aaron, and Ephraim and Manasseh were counted together under Joseph.

The name of each prince was to be written on his rod, so each man would know which was his and so there would be no dispute. Writing often helps prevent quarrels, because what is written can be checked. Then the rods were to be placed in the tabernacle for one night, before the testimony, that is, before the ark. The ark, with its mercy seat, was the sign of God’s presence among them. They were also told in advance that the rod of the tribe or leader God chose for the priesthood would bud and blossom (Numbers 17:5). They needed to be told beforehand so no one could say it was an accident instead of God’s clear choice.

So the princes brought their rods. Some of them may have hoped the choice would fall on them, and all of them at least thought it an honor to compete with Aaron and stand as candidates for the priesthood (Numbers 17:7). Moses laid the rods before the Lord. He did not argue that the matter was already settled or that enough had already been done to persuade those who would not listen. He did not decide the case himself, though he could have. He did not say it was useless to try to satisfy people who were blind by choice. Since God had ordered it, he did his part, placed the matter before the Lord, and left the decision with him.