Commentary on "Power Struggle"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 6: Thursday, November 12, 2009

 

Overview

God directs Moses to place twelve rods, in the tabernacle. One rod was to come from each tribe with the name of the tribal leader on it. Aaron’s name was placed on the rod from the tribe of Levi. God’s purpose was to end rebellion and establish his authority over their lives by the one rod that would bud, grow flowers and produce ripe fruit (almonds), through his creative power. This person proved to be Aaron from the tribe of Levi.

The budding of Aaron’s rod proved for all to see that Aaron and his male descendants were to be the only ones qualified as God’s Levitical priests under the covenant established at Mt. Sinai. Only through the line of Aaron, those appointed as Levitical priests, could the Hebrew people approach God.

 

Observations

While the lesson makes some good points concerning how the budding of Aaron’s rod brought an end to the open rebellion of the Hebrew people and clearly established Aaron’s line as the God appointed Levitical priesthood, things seem to be sidetracked in the teacher’s version of the lesson. It is good to explore our responsibilities as Christians in obedience to our leaders. However, the focus has been unduly placed upon our secular leaders when our religious leadership should receive just as much attention. All authorities in this world must adhere to the word of God or face Devine retribution. At all times and situations, it is the written word of God, the Bible, that Christians are to be directed by and loyal to. The Bible is the only and final source for the will of God in our lives.

Besides, the real issue that should be explored is what was the root cause of the unbelief of the Hebrew people that had been the source of their continual chronic rebellion?

The sixth chapter of Ephesians begins with an admonishment for Christians to be in obedience to the various leaders who have authority over our lives. It then develops the theme of being “strong in the Lord” as we come to verse twelve:

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12 ESV)

While truth, knowledge of the word of God, is very important, we must not ever overlook the fact that the real battle is one of spiritual warfare. In our own limited knowledge and strength, we will always fail because we are simply not equipped for such a fight. This is true of us and this same truth applied to the Hebrew people.

The issue is not one of gaining more knowledge, important as that is. It is not ‘knowledge warfare’. Unbelief of the Hebrew people needed to be replaced with the same faith that their father Abraham had. By faith, each and every person who has ever lived is equipped by God to fight spiritual warfare. By faith, each person puts on the full armor of God as laid out in the remainder of Ephesians Chapter Six.

And the people of Israel said to Moses, "Behold, we perish, we are undone, we are all undone. Everyone who comes near, who comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord , shall die. Are we all to perish?" (Num. 17:12,13 ESV)

Finally the Hebrew people expressed the right words and surrendered their pride. For those who spoke these words from a repentant heart, there was to be found salvation at the altar. Even though, as it was true with Moses, they could not enter the Promised Land of Canaan. They could now find true eternal rest in God.

 

Summary

1. The budding of Aaron’s rod clearly established his line as God’s appointed Levitical priesthood. When the Israelites recognized Aaron’s authority their rebellion with God ceased. For those who truly surrendered to God, they exchanged their unbelief for faith.
2. As with the Hebrew people, our unbelief concerning who God is must be exchanged for the same faith of Abraham that they needed. By faith, the Israelites were to bring their sacrifices to the Levitical priests for a propitiation of their sins. By faith, we are to understand that the true sacrifice that this represented was that of Jesus Christ. By faith, we understand that our true warfare is a spiritual one and that we must put on the whole spiritual armor of God.

 

GO TO DAY 7

 

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