Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

God gave instructions to put this whole thing to rest. Aaron was just doing what he was anointed to do. Moses hadn’t even WANTED to be the leader to lead the people out of Egypt, and didn’t WANT to be thought of as top guy #1. He was doing what he was called and anointed to because he loved God and had a heart for the people. These are not glory seeking hounds. But the people would find excuses again and again. Since Moses and Aaron were not bragging, defending themselves, or doing anything but seeking to do right by God and the people, He defended them.

This was the instruction: every tribe (including Levi) was to bring a rod and was to inscribe the name of the prince of the tribe on the rod. Then all thirteen rods were to be laid in the tent of meeting and left there alone. Whichever rod budded was the man who God has chosen. These were not fresh rods. These were not rooted in soil. There is no physical way they could bud. God was promising a miracle. The people obeyed. Next morning, Aaron’s staff had sprouted – miracle. It had brought forth buds – also miracle. It had produced blossoms – even more miracle. And it had produced almonds – the kind of miracle only God can do and if they hadn’t seen it themselves, they would have been unable to believe it.

Moses took all the rods out of the tent in full view of all of them. Gave each man his rod back. Everyone examined their rods. It was clear they had the rods they’d put into the tent. It was clear there was a spectacular miracle. Aaron was obviously THE choice of God. God told Moses to put the rod before the ark as a visible warning to rebels so that the complaints of the people could be forever stopped on this issue.

The people responded by crying out that they were all going to die. That anyone approaching the tent of meeting was going to die. That God was going to kill them all. It’s like they hadn’t even been listening to all the instruction and teaching on HOW to approach and WHO could approach and the BUFFER and ATONEMENT SACRIFICES that restored relationship with God. Moses must have wanted to tear out his beard.

God then continued in His return to school teaching. This time for the priests. He states some hard truths. That Aaron as high priest is responsible for the conduct of those priests underneath him. He would be held responsible for their conduct. He made clear the dividing line between Levites serving in the tabernacle and the Levites serving as priests.

God delineated the offerings that the Levites were to provide – everyone had an opportunity to give. He also touched on the rules of the tithe. The tithe of the people were for the Levites, and the Levites were to tithe to the high priest. Aaron would also tithe, but I confess it is not clear to whom he was to tithe – perhaps just offering on the altars?

“You will not bear any sin because you have presented its fat; you will not defile the holy objects of the Israelites, or you will die.’” (Numbers 18:32)

God talks a lot about the purification laws. It centers around the ashes of the red heifer. It had to be blemishless and never worn a yoke. It was to be killed outside the camp, seven sprinkles of it put directly before the tent of meeting, and then burned in the priest’s sight. Cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet were to be added to the burnings. The priest was to wash his clothes and bathe his body before coming back into the camp (unclean until evening). A different man who was clean was to gather the ashes of the heifer and place them into a clean place outside the camp and guarded for the ‘water of purification’. It was to be used for purifying from sin – speaking to Messiah Jesus who is the water of life (John 4:14; 7:38). When they were unclean, the water could be sprinkled on them to make them clean – in the case of touching a dead body or being near to a dead body. It doesn’t matter if it was encountered in a field, in a tent (the tent would need to be cleaned too), or anywhere. You were unclean seven days, had to follow procedure, and then get sprinkled with the water to be clean.

It was NOT EASY to become clean. It was EASY to become unclean. God was teaching them a lesson that we also need to learn. These things are serious. They are not easy – simple, yes, but not easy – and they NEEDED to be done. If we do not have Jesus and if we are not clean and abiding in Him there is NO WAY to get to the Throne. God is HOLY and we MUST remember that. Jesus IS the Way. Jesus IS the water. Jesus purifies us so we can enter in rejoicing. We NEED Him and CANNOT do it on our own.

Summary

Key Players: God, Moses, Aaron

Key Themes: Anointed Authority, Offerings, Tithes, Purification

Key Verse(s): Numbers 17:2-5, 8-10; 18:7, 12-14, 24, 30-32; 19:21-22