Numbers 17:1-13 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… A wonderful work of God, which sundry ways may profit us. 1. As first to consider that if the power of God can do this in a dry stick, cannot He make the barren woman to bare, and be a joyful mother of children? Can He not do whatsoever He will do? By this power the sea is dried, the rock gives water, the earth cleaveth under the feet of men, fire descends whose nature is to ascend, raiseth the dead, and calleth things that are not as if they were. In a word, He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, &c. 2. This rod is a notable type of Christ, His person and office. Of His person, in that He was born of the Virgin Mary, who, though He descended of the royal blood, yet was now poor and mean, as that royal race was brought exceeding low, nothing remaining but as it were a root only. Now the said Virgin flourisheth again as Aaron's rod did, and beareth such fruit as never woman bear. Of this speaks Isaiah the prophet, when he saith, "There shall come a rod forth of the stock of Jesse, and a graft shall grow out of his roots." Of His office both priestly and kingly. His priestly office is figured in that being offered upon the cross He was as Aaron's dried rod, or as the Psalm saith, "dried up like a potsherd." But when He rose again He became like Aaron's budding and fruit-bearing rod, bringing forth to man, believing on Him, remission of sins, righteousness, and eternal life. His kingly office, in that He governeth His Church with a rod or sceptre of righteousness, as it is in the Psalm: "The sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre." Which rod and sceptre is the preaching of the gospel, &c. 3. Again, it was a resemblance of true ministers, and of all faithful men and women, for none of all these ought to be dry and withered sticks, but bear and bring forth buds and fruit according to their places. 4. It is a shadow also of our resurrection by which we should grow green again, and flourish with a new and an eternal glory, having like dead seed lain in the ground, and we shall bring forth ripe almonds, that is, the praise of God's incomprehensible goodness to us for ever and ever. 5. It resembleth our reformation and amendment of life, for when our heart feeleth what is amiss, this is as the bud; when it resolveth of a change and a future amendment, this is the blossom; and when it performeth the same by a new reformed life indeed, this is as the ripe almonds of Aaron's rod.(Bp. Babington.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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