Numbers 17:1-5 - The Lord said to Moses, “Speak
to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of
each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. On
the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the
head of each ancestral tribe. Place them in the tent of
meeting in front of the Ark of the Covenant law, where I meet with
you. The staff belonging to the man I choose will
sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by
the Israelites.”
God wanted to put an end to anymore grumbling and rebellious
attitudes towards Moses and Aaron...so he gave Moses directions to collect a
staff from each leader. Aaron’s name was to be laced on the staff for the tribe
of Levi…then all 12 placed in the presence of God inside the tabernacle. God
would cause the staff belonging to his chosen one to sprout.
Not only did Aaron’s staff sprout…it blossomed and produced
ripe almonds in the overnight hours. It
was a sign from God that no one could reproduce on their own….Aaron was his
clear choice for high priest. Moses was directed
to put the living staff into the Ark of the Covenant…to keep as a symbol of God’s
choices…and to keep anymore rebellious attitudes from forming against Moses and
Aaron.
It is a reminder to me that God chooses who he chooses to do
his work. He can use the simple man with
no education….or the learned scholar of any university or seminary. His choices
are not based on our thinking…but on his.
He took a well-educated murderer…trained him how to be a leader…placed a
humble brother beside him to be his spokesman….and used them both to lead a
chosen people.
God still uses anyone he chooses to do his work. He does not choose us based on our looks… education…
economic levels…or country of origin. He
chooses us based on the humility in our heart…and the acceptance of his call on
our life. He chooses us based on our willingness to let him have complete
control of all of our heart. He wants to
hear us say the same thing Samuel said in 1 Samuel 3:4… “Then the LORD called
Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am.”
Father…thank you for the reminder that you still choose
people to be your hands and feet here on earth.
Forgive me for the times that I have failed to obey your directions…or simply
felt unworthy to be your vessel of love. Help me to allow your spirit to work
in my life…and produce new growth …blossoms…even fruit from this one who
resembles the old dry staffs of the Israelites.
Give me new eyes of faith to see the miracles you can do with even this woman
who fails you every day. Amen.
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