Numbers 17

“Behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds” (v8).  Moses needed to convince the people that Aaron was the high priest and leader over the whole house of Levi. He asked the tribal heads to bring their important “staffs” (wooden sticks) into the tabernacle, and only Aaron’s miraculously sprouted.  The people were so shocked by this that they immediately felt doomed, shouting, “Behold, we perish, we are all undone” (v12).

The Israelites were resisting God’s authority, and thus His power (bringing life from dead wood) seemed frightening.  But when we trust and submit to Him, this same resurrection power brings hope, blessing, and renewal.