Numbers 17

(1) Israeli Patriarchs Place Staffs in Front of God

The Existing One told Moses,

“Tell Israel’s descendants to get one staff for each of their patriarchs’ households. That will be 12 staffs in total—one for each leader. Label each staff with the corresponding name, and label Levi’s staff with Aaron’s name. Then place all the staffs inside My meeting tent in front of the documents outlining My commitment to Israel. The staff that belongs to the person I chose will sprout. That way, I won’t be as big of a reason for all the complaints from Israel’s descendants.”

Moses informed Israel’s descendants, and a leader from each patriarch’s family gave him a staff. There were 12 staffs, including Aaron’s staff. Then Moses went inside the tent containing God’s contract with Israel and placed the staffs in front of the Existing One. 

(8) Aaron’s Staff Blossoms

The next day, Moses went into the tent, and sure enough, Aaron’s staff had sprouted, which represented Levi’s family. Not only was it budding, but it had full blossoms and even ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the staffs and showed them to Israel’s descendants. They studied them, and each man took his staff. But the Existing One told Moses,

“Put Aaron’s staff back by the contract to be kept as a sign to any rebels. That way, you’ll be able to put an end to their complaints about Me, which will spare them from dying.”

So that’s what Moses did, just like the Existing One had instructed.

(12) Israelites Think They’re Gonna Die

Then Israel’s descendants told Moses,

“Look at us! We’re all wasting away and dying! Everyone who comes close to the Existing One’s house must die. Are we gonna completely die out?”