In the lecture notes we looked at how Aaron's Rod was a picture of the physical resurrection of Christ and the soon resurrection of the saints. Look at Aaron's Rod for all angles. Do you see another picture portrayed by Aaron's Rod?

-- Anonymous, November 05, 1998

Answers

Mark,

Good answer! I liked the summary "So, in summary, could the rod itself stand for the authority and call upon the servant of God, and the budding/almonds stand for fruit that will follow, given by God, to confirm His call and authority on the life of His servant...lest any should question or challenge God's choosing them?"

However I do have another one in mind. Anyone else? Think about it and post it.

-- Anonymous, November 09, 1998

Everyone has had some good answers, but the one that I had in mind Mark and Lowell were skimming around the edge. However, Jenny hit it right on target. I was thinking of the new birth. Eph 2:1-9

To everyone;

Well done.

-- Anonymous, November 17, 1998

Well, I'll take a shot at the "budding rod"... After reading the text, the lecture and Numbers 18 several times, and I'm seeing Aaron's budding rod as a symbol of the divine call and anointing for the work of the ministry.

It was Aaron's rod that the Lord used to confirm his authority as God's man...as well as the authority of his Levitical descendants. The rod that not only budded, but produced almonds was placed in the ark along with the pot of Manna and the tablets of the law. Could this be symbolic of the man of God standing between God and man..standing in the gap..to preach the eternal Gospel of the Bread of Life (Manna) to a world condemned to death in hell by the tablets of the law? Could we see that budded rod as a "pointer" of sorts...a divinely called and prepared vessel or tool that would point the way to the Bread of Life as salvation from the law...

Also-God went the second step beyond confirming Aaron's call with the budding rod...he also made it produce almonds, lest anyone doubt or second-guess the Lord's confirmation. Could the almonds be the "fruit" that came forth from the priestly authority that was endowed upon Aaron by God? Could they symbolize souls saved, and the church fed by the man of God as signs and wonders that follow the work of the ministry? The fruit will be the determining factor that will confirm the message.

Matthew 7:18-20 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

John 15 Jesus commissions the disciples: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

So, in summary, could the rod itself stand for the authority and call upon the servant of God, and the budding/almonds stand for fruit that will follow, given by God, to confirm His call and authority on the life of His servant...lest any should question or challenge God's choosing them?

I may have more later...

Blessings...Mark

-- Anonymous, November 08, 1998

Aarons rod miraculously produced ripe almonds, showing he and his tribe were the only chosen priests (Num. 17:8). When we are born again we become the chosen priests of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are suppose to bud and bring forth fruit

This rod was preserved, to take away the murmuring of the people, that they might not die. The design of God, in the memorial of Aaron's rod then, was to take away sin. Christ was manifested to take away sin. Christ is expressly called a rod out of the stem of Jesse.

-- Anonymous, November 10, 1998

The only other picture I can see of Aarons rod as a type of Christ is that Exodus chapter seven shows the rod as an instrument of God's awesome power. Of course the Lord Jesus is much more than just an instrument but is in fact the seat of Power. As He said "...All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth".

-- Anonymous, November 10, 1998

I can see not only the resurrection in the budding of Aaron's rod, but new birth. I am teaching my 13 year old son, James, the book of Ephesians. In Ephesians 2 we have. Eph 2:1-9 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV) When the people questioned the authority of Aaron, many leaders submitted their rods, but only Aaron's brought forth life. Only God can bring forth life. We were dead in our treaspasses and sins and God is the one who has made us alive. Salvation is His work,not ours. Aaron did not chose God. God chose him. Not because Aaron was special, but God is special and had a plan for Aaron. The others who rebelled against Aaron were in rebellion against God and His plan; they were truly as we were children of wrath, until by grace through faith we were saved.

-- Anonymous, November 10, 1998

The budding of Aaron's rod was in answer to those who had question who it was that had the priestly authority. As stated already Christ's authority was not granted beause He was resurrected from the dead, but rather the resurrection proved the power or authority he already possessed. In further view of the bud the difference may be seen in that Arron's ministry was supported by the true and living God. The false christs of today are as clouds without water and have no true life in themselves. Therefore, their ministries must be supported by the elements of the earth just as their rods needed earthly materials and moisture to bring forth growth. Aaron's rod on the other hand had all the sustance for growth within itself and needed not for any earthly supply. This is true for Christ and His saints as well. Christ did not need man nor this Earth's system's to be a supply of His power and strength, but he derived His power from within the Godhead itself. As seen in John Jesus drew His strength from the Father and was led and enpowered from the Holy Spirit. Christ Himself was also powered from His Divine nature. So Christ buds forth from His own character and nature, so do now the saints draw strength from Him and not the world system. We must align our selves with Christ, for His rod is always budding, Christ is always flowing in livliness and His bud will always bear fruit.

-- Anonymous, November 11, 1998