Numbers 17:1-13 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,… I. AS THE PRIESTHOOD OF AARON WAS A TYPE OF THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST, THERE IS HERE A SUGGESTION OF FACTS WHICH MUST HAVE THEIR COUNTERPART IN CHRIST'S LIFE AND HISTORY. 1. The atonement and death of our Lord Jesus were matters of Divine appointment. The whole work of our salvation originated with God. 2. But more than this — which is the essential truth here enshrined — we see here that God often manifests Himself in unexpected forms of beauty and of grace. The dry rod blossomed and bare fruit. The powers of Divine salvation were enshrined in the person of the Carpenter of Nazareth. There was life for a dead world in the Cross and in the grave of the dead Christ. II. THERE ARE SUGGESTIONS HERE CONCERNING CHRISTIAN LIFE. 1. Christian life begins with God. 2. The Christian life manifests itself in unfavourable conditions. It is in human souls a power of active benevolence, or it is nothing at all. It takes hold of human misery with a healing hand, and it changes it into blessing. Where sin abounded there grace does much more abound. 3. There is beauty associated with the developments of Christian life and character. There is nothing half so winning as Christian grace. III. SUGGESTIONS IN RELATION TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY. 1. There is a Divine designation of men to the highest service of the Church. 2. But what is the qualification of men thus sent? Evidently the possession of Divine life, the gift which is to be imparted to those needing it. To be a Christian teacher a man must be a Christian and must know the things of Christ. 3. How, then, are we to judge a man's Divine call and authority? Only and solely by the blossoms and fruit — by the spiritual results of his ministry. IV. LAST OF ALL, THERE ARE HERE SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING CHRISTIAN HUMILIATION. 1. The world has not known its best benefactors. It has always had a scornful word for the saintly and the true-hearted. It has always risen up in rebellion against the anointed of the Lord. 2. Here is a word of encouragement to all weak and mistrustful and diffident and self-emptied souls. "I am but a dry rod," says the old labourer in the Master's vineyard, and the holy matron whose life has been careful and troubled about many things, but who has ever been anxious to honour and serve her dear Lord in lowliest ways and household duties. "I am but a dry rod," says the saint, waiting dismission to rest, who has not done what he would or been as useful as he desired and hoped and prayed to be. "I am but a dry rod," says one whose strength has been weakened by the way, and whose unfinished purposes lie sadly enough at his feet, fallen out of hands which could not longer hold them or fashion them into completeness. "We are but dry rods," say many earnest, anxious, longing souls who hardly dare to trust for the future, because so often when they would do good evil is present with them. We are not saved by trust in our own righteousness or by satisfaction with our own goodness and deeds. But God's grace is all-sufficient, and He can work miracles of beauty and fruitfulness where human might is feeblest, and self mistrust is greatest, and humility of spirit is deepest. (W. H. Davison, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, |
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