1713. Aaron's Rod

Aaron's Rod

"Which had the golden censer, and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant" (Heb_9:4).

The story of Aaron's rod which budded, and bloomed and bore almonds, is a story of marvelous significance.

The rod was placed in the Ark in commemoration of an important event in Israel's history, and in anticipation of another event lying ahead.

1. We have in the rod that budded, God's endorsement of Aaron. Incidentally, we have God's endorsement of all His sent-ones. The Lord Jesus Christ said unto the disciples: "All authority is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth, go ye, therefore, * * and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Mat_28:18-20, \1911 Bible).

The Lord Jesus Christ sends forth His ambassadors, and then He stands behind them. He backs them to the limit; He protects and shields them. Paul said: "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day" (Act_26:22).

Aaron was chosen of God, and put into the place of authority and power, as the priest of God.

Korah intruded into the priest's office; he sought to become a priest without any Divine authority.

In all of this, he withstood God's appointment, and Aaron, God's appointed.

The story of how Korah was overthrown is known to all. Moses separated Korah and all that appertained unto him, on the one side, and the children of Israel on the other side. Then Moses prayed unto the Lord and said: "If the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord" (Num_16:30). No sooner had Moses ceased praying, than "the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods."

Then, "when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the Tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared."

Afterward, God confirmed His choice of Aaron by the budding of Aaron's rod.

The lessons in all of this are most solemn. God chooses His men to do His work. He sends them forth under His own orders, and commits unto them His own Word.

Let those who cry out against the servants of the Living God, beware.

The very fact that Aaron's rod budded, was the proof that God takes sides with His ordained ministers against those who oppose Him. The fact that the rod was placed within the Ark as a memorial, is proof of the fact that God continues to stand for His own against every opposer.

2. We have in the rod that budded, the anticipation of the priesthood of Christ, and God's endorsement of Him. The Lord Jesus Christ is opposed, just as Aaron was opposed. Just as the insurrection of old headed up in Korah, the insurrection of the present age, will head up in the antichrist.

As Korah sought to proclaim himself priest, so will the antichrist, as God sit "in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."

God, however, will break the staff of the idol shepherd, and he will cause to bud, to bloom, and to bear fruit the rod, the scepter, which Jesus Christ holds in His hand.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR