Numbers 17
The Lord instructed Moses to gather a rod from each of the 12 tribes of Israel, with Aaron's name on the rod of Levi, and place them in the tabernacle. The rod that blossomed would indicate God's chosen leader, and it was Aaron's rod that budded, bloomed, and yielded almonds. The rods were then returned to their owners, but Aaron's rod was kept as a token to remind the people of God's authority. The people, realizing God's power, feared approaching the tabernacle, fearing death.
1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,2Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod.3And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.4And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.5And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.6And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.7And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.8And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.9And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.10And 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.11And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.12And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.13Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
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