Have you ever heard someone express the feeling that God must be like a watchmaker? He builds the thing, winds the thing, and then he lets it run—no interference necessary! Some might say that God never enters the fray. But what does the Bible say? How does God deal with his people? Numbers 17:1-13 provides an answer in three parts, the first of which we saw in a previous devotion—God deals mercifully with his people—and the second we now take up today.
How does God deal with his people? God deals with his people miraculously, which can be found in Numbers 17:8-11. The miracle set up is simple: every one of God’s people is represented through their tribal leader, whose names coincide with the sons of Jacob (who was later and formally named Israel). So these tribes of Israel are all represented, and God’s purpose is to reveal exactly whom he has chosen to be his formal revealers. Alongside this purpose is a goal: that the people would humble themselves and cease from their authority issues (which can be found in their grumbling). Then the miracle happens:
“On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.”
But miracles aren’t meant to simply look pretty. Miracles are meant to reveal. And that’s what happens in v.9—each man took his staff. Was it Reuben? No. How about Asher? Not it. Gad? Nope. Levi? Yes. After this, God commands this staff to be kept as a sign for the rebels. The sign was not meant as a jab in the face, nor was it intended to be severe judgment on God’s people. Rather, this sign was meant to reveal exactly how God was going to start to explain his plan of salvation on behalf of his people—through the priesthood of Levi, which in every aspect reveals Jesus Christ.
Today, as you ponder on these Bible truths, remember that God deals miraculously with us—revealing his will and way, which is absolutely good. But it’s also important to remember that conflict can arise in our relationship with God due to our own sin. What happens when God’s will and way is different from our own? Are we willing to listen and obey, or do we begin to grumble as the people of God did (and historically do)? As a spiritual exercise, read the last part of v. 10, and put yourself in it as the rebels. For example,
“And the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for Jeremiah, that he may make an end of his grumblings against me, lest Jeremiah die.””
Thinking of it that way makes figuring out what the Bible is saying a little less boring and little more lifesaving, which has been, is, and continues to be God’s intention for his needy people. Thanks be to God for our Lord Jesus Christ! Blessings to you today.