INTRODUCTION: The trial of the rods occurs immediately after the rebellion of Korah. God plans to establish once and for all who He has chosen to His priest. He does this to halt the murmurings of the people against Moses and Aaron (17:5). The rod, as a symbol of authority, is used to establish this position. However, the rod of Aaron is also a great type of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the rod of God’s strength sent from Zion (Ps.110:1-2). He is also the rod that comes forth from the stem of Jesse (Isa.11:1-2). Each of the seven points below are descriptive of the rod of Aaron. However, each of these points also describes certain aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. I. TAKEN ACCORDING TO LINEAGE (17:1-2) A. To Be Determined by Each Man’s Rod 1. A symbol of authority and power (Ex.4:20; 7:9-12) 2. A symbol of judgment (Ps.2:9; Pr.10:13) 3.Related to the scepter (Ezek.19:14); this points to Jesus Christ (Num.24:17; Ps.45:6) B. According to the House of their Fathers 1. Determined by genealogy 2. The genealogy of Christ (Mt.1:1; Lk.1:26-33) C. Twelve Rods of the Princes of the Tribes of Israel II. GIVEN THE NAME OF A MAN (17:2-3) A. Each Man Wrote His Name on His Rod 1. Aaron’s rod had his name 2. Each rod had its corresponding name B. God’s Son Was Also Given the Name of a Man (Mt.1:21, 25; Lk.1:31; Ac.4:12; Phil.2:9-10) III. CHOSEN ABOVE THE OTHERS (17:4-5) A. The Rod That Blossoms is Chosen of the Lord B. Christ Too was Chosen of God (Heb.5:4-5; 1Pet.2:4) C. The Rod, Being Wood, Also Points to the Cross (1Pet.2:24) IV. LAID UP BEFORE THE LORD (17:6-7) A. Placed Overnight in the Tabernacle B. Christ Was Laid in the Tomb (Isa.53:9; Mt.27:57-60) V. ENABLED TO BRING FORTH FRUIT (17:8) A. The Three Stages of Fruit 1. Buds 2. Blossoms 3. Almonds – Fruit B. The Typology of the Almond Tree 1. Physical description a. First tree to bloom in the spring b. Has beautiful blossoms similar to peach tree blossoms c. Yields fruit about ten weeks after it blossoms d. Produces two types of nuts: sweet and bitter 2. Biblical usage a. Occurs ten times in the Bible b. First occurrence (Gen.43:11): among the best of fruits c. Last occurrence (Jer.1:11-12): indicates the speedy fulfillment of God’s word 3. Biblical typology a. Pictures God’s speedy execution of His will after a time of quiet and apparent inactivity b. General typology (1) Fruitfulness (the result, product or consequence of any action) (2) Hastening (will be fulfilled quickly) (3) Suddenness (fulfilled at a time unexpected) 4. The almond in Biblical usage a. When God produces light (Ex.25:31-34; 37:17-22) b. When God confirms His work (Num.17:1-10) c. When God executes judgment (Eccl.12:1, 5; Jer.1:9-12) C. A Type of the Resurrected Christ – as the Firstfruits (Jn.14:19; 1Cor.15:20-23) VI. A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S APPROVAL (17:9-11) A. The Rods Returned to the Owners (v.9) B. Aaron’s Rod to be Kept in the Ark (v.10-11); as a testimony that Aaron was chosen by God (v.5) C. The Contents of the Ark of the Covenant (Heb.9:4) 1. The pot of manna – Christ is the Bread of Life (Jn.6:48, 51) 2. The rod of Aaron – Christ is the Rod of God (Ps.110:1-2) 3. The tables of the law – Christ is the Word of God (Jn.1:1-3, 14) D. A Type of the Father’s Approval of Christ (Mt.17:5; Eph.1:19-23) VII. A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S JUDGMENT (17:10-13) A. A Token Against the Rebels (v.10-11) B. A Reminder of the Danger of Approaching God (v.12-13; 18:22) C. A Type of Jesus as Judge (Jn.5:22; Ac.17:31) CONCLUSION: Christ, as the Rod of God, is the eternal source of 1) power; 2) punishment; 3) protection. We must look to Him for all things. Psalm 2:12 – “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” Psalm 110:2 – “The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.” Isaiah 11:1 – “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” |
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Aaron's Rod that Budded