8 And on the morrow Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds, and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. 9 Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the people of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. 10 And the LORD said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign..” Numbers 17:8-10
Companions,
An old dry staff growing buds and flowers and ripe almonds all at the same time in one night and then only on one staff in a group of twelve was a miraculous visible sign to the Israelites; something they could see and contemplate throughout the years as a message from Almighty God. Access to God being only through one person chosen by God was the lesson taught here, making Aaron a messianic figure, a theme carried throughout the old and new testaments. Aaron’s rod is not just a prop Companions but a reminder. It is interesting to note that the process of budding, flowering and bearing fruit is also the usual process of a maturing spiritual life. Thinking through this biblical history reminded me of an old hymn by Clara Scott that sounds to me like a good prayer.
Heavenly Father,
Open my eyes that I may see,
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Amen.
Jack A. Holloway
R. I. Associate Grand Chaplain