Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels… I. The rod of Moses, a shepherd's staff, a commonplace instrument, changed by God's power into "the rod of God" (Exodus 4:17), "the rod of his strength." (1) For the conviction of Moses himself (Exodus 4:1-5); (2) for the punishment of the rebellious (Exodus 7:20, &c.); (3) for the deliverance of God's servants from imminent danger (Exodus 14:16, 26); (4) for the supply of their most urgent wants (Exodus 17:5, 6); (5) for the conquest of their foes (Exodus 17:9-12). Thus God makes the weakest commonest things of the world "mighty through God" (1 Corinthians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 10:4). The rod of the lowly Jesus is "a rod of strength," or" of iron" (Psalm 2:9; Psalm 110:2; Isaiah 11:4). II. The rod of Aaron, a tribal scepter, a symbol of power, as the shepherd's staff was not. This symbol of authority used for remedial and spiritual purposes. (1) For the confutation of presumptuous upstarts; (2) for the preservation of the tempted from further sin and consequent destruction (verse 10): (3) for a type of the fruitfulness of every institution ordained and sustained by God. See further under verse 8. Thus God makes his mightiest power the means of attaining spiritual ends for the we]fare even of sinners. "Christ the power of God" is "the power of God unto salvation." The "Prince" is also the "Saviour" (Acts 5:31). - P. Parallel Verses KJV: And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. |
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