As with the bronze censers, God gave another illustration to teach God's holiness and sovereignty: 12 staffs presented before the covenant law. The staff God caused to sprout indicated whom God had chosen as their mediators. They did as Moses instructed, and the next day Aaron's staff not only budded, but blossomed and produced almonds! Only the Creator God who gives life could resurrect a dead branch like this! Through Jesus, God has chosen us too, and as we remain in Jesus we bear much fruit (Jn 15:5). This is a sign of God's blessing and grace to us.

God instructed the branch to be kept with the ark in order to be a sign to the rebellious: when they saw it, they ought to remember it was not Aaron's line who is sovereign, but God. God doesn't want them to die, but to stop forgetting God, grumbling against people, and becoming rebellious. That generation was toxically sick with fear and doubt (12-13). But God never gave up hope for them to repent. God looks with hope to the next generation. God gives sign after sign, leading to his greatest sign: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.


Application: Father, you are holy and sovereign; you give life to the dead. Thank you that in Jesus, I – a dead branch – have been made alive and fruitful. May this sign and grace keep me from fear, grumbling and rebellion, and point others to you, my Creator.
One Word: A sign so we may not die