Confirming The Priesthood (Numbers 17)

After Korah’s rebellion, how did God confirm Aaron’s priesthood? Who is our high priest? Does our church grumble? How does God confirm faithful church leaders today? Let’s look at Numbers 17.

How did God settle Israel’s grumbling about leadership in the congregation? Do we constantly grumble against our leaders as they did?

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.” (Numbers 17:1-5 NIV)

Whose staff or walking stick gave visible signs of God’s choice?

So Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and each of their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods; and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. And Moses placed the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness. Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds. Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the Lord to all the children of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. (Numbers 17:6-9 NKJV)

What did God want done to Aaron’s staff and what was its purpose in regard to rebellion?

And the Lord said to Moses: “Place Aaron’s staff permanently before the Ark of the Covenant to serve as a warning to rebels. This should put an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deaths.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded him. Then the people of Israel said to Moses, “Look, we are doomed! We are dead! We are ruined! Everyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle of the Lord dies. Are we all doomed to die?” (Numbers 17:10-13 NLT)

If only Aaron’s descendants could serve as priests, how did Jesus become our high priest?

Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people have received the law), what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. (Hebrews 7:11-12 WEB)

Why was there a necessity to create a new covenant?

They serve in a place that is a copy and shadow of the heavenly meeting tent. This is indicated when Moses was warned by God when he was about to set up the meeting tent: See that you follow the pattern that I showed you on the mountain in every detail. But now, Jesus has received a superior priestly service just as he arranged a better covenant that is enacted with better promises. (Hebrews 8:5-6 CEB)

How does the staff of the Great Shepherd give us comfort?

I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me, and your shepherd's rod makes me feel safe. (Psalm 23:4 CEV)

After Korah’s rebellion, how did God confirm Aaron’s priesthood? Who is our high priest? Does our church grumble? How does God confirm faithful church leaders today? You decide!