Números 17

Números 17

Spurgeon reminds us that "Behold is a word of wonder; it is intended to excite admiration. Wherever you see it hung out in Scripture, it is like an ancient sign-board, signifying that there are rich wares within, or like the hands which solid readers have observed in the margin of the older Puritanic books, drawing attention to something particularly worthy of observation." I would add, behold is like a divine highlighter, a divine underlining of an especially striking or important text. It says in effect "Listen up, all ye who would be wise in the ways of Jehovah!" The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds - Is this not an Ephesians 3:20 verse, "far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" because the rod did not just sprout leaves but even bore ripe almonds (not green almonds)! FSB comment is interesting (albeit somewhat suppositional) - Since the almond flower symbolized life and renewal (Jer 1:11–12; Eccl 12:5), the almonds here likely symbolize the renewal of life, which is fitting in light of the tragedy of Num 16. Brian Bell - God vindicated his servants(Moses & Aaron) 1st by bringing death to some of their opponents & 2nd by giving life to Aaron’s rod. Ultimately the power of God caused the dead rod to produce beauty & fruit. Its the same power of God that causes our dead lives to produce fruit. Which means, without this power, we are just dead sticks! NET NOTE -There is no clear answer why the tribe of Levi had used an almond staff. The almond tree is one of the first to bud in the spring, and its white blossoms are a beautiful sign that winter is over. Its name became a name for “watcher”; Jeremiah plays on this name for God’s watching over his people (Jer 1:11–12). Bush - The miracle consisted in the sudden vegetation of the rod, and that in different degrees. It would seem that in some places of the rod tender buds were seen just emerging from the surface; in others the buds were fully developed; in others, again, they had blossomed, and those blossoms, in other parts, had ripened into fruit, the fruit of the almond-tree. On the name and peculiar properties of the almond, see Note on Ex. 25:33+. It is a tree that blossoms and bears fruit earlier than other trees, and hence its appellation, shâkëd, from shâkad, to make haste, to be in a hurry, and thence to awake early, to be vigilant, to watch. That this effect should have been produced in a single night upon Aaron’s rod, while all the rest were as dry as before, could not but be looked upon with amazement, and prove an incontestable evidence of the Lord’s designation. Bishop Hall - “It could not but be a great comfort unto Aaron to see his rod thus miraculously flourishing; to see this wonderful testimony of God’s favor and election. Sure he could not but think, Who am I, O God, that thou shouldst choose me out of all the tribes of Israel! My weakness hath been more worthy of the rod of correction (ED: Cf "Golden Calf Catastrophe!" Ex 32:1-6+), than my rod hath been worthy of these blossoms. How You have magnified me in the sight of all You people! How able are You to uphold my imbecility by the rod of thy support! How able art thou to defend me with the rod of thy power, who hast thus brought fruit out of the rod of my profession!” Almond (08247)(shaqed from shaqad = to watch or wake) refers to the almond tree or its fruit, the almond. "The idea of watchfulness which is basic to the root affords the key to the explanation of the Hebrew name for the almond tree. This tree, which in Israel blooms as early as January and February and is affectionately looked upon as the harbinger of spring, is appropriately enough called shāqēd "the waker." (TWOT) Used 4x - Gen. 43:11; Num. 17:8; Eccl. 12:5; Jer. 1:11. Guzik makes a good point - If God demonstrated His choice of Aaron and his descendants as priests for Israel, how can Jesus be our high priest, as Hebrews 2:17 says? Because Jesus is a high priest of the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron (Hebrews 7). Related Resources: Wikipedia - Almond 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica Almond International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Almond Kitto Biblical Cyclopedia Almond tree The Jewish Encyclopedia Almond Easton's Bible Dictionary Almond Fausset Bible Dictionary Almond Tree Holman Bible Dictionary Almond Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible Almond Daily Treasures from the Word of God - Nicholas Vendetti - Today’s Scripture is motivating. People were murmuring against Moses, Aaron and their leadership. For anyone who is in leadership, this is something that can occur. However, the Lord intervened. Our text demonstrates His approval of Aaron’s leadership. Let’s look at three things about Aaron’s life. First, Aaron was called by God. The test began with the twelve rods of the tribal leaders. They were to lay them before the tent of testimony. Aaron’s rod was included among them. The rod of the person that would sprout and put forth buds would be the leader. That would take a miracle because a rod is a dead piece of wood. Yet, as we shall see later, nothing is impossible for our Lord. Second, Aaron was chosen by God. Moses did exactly as the Lord commanded. All the rods were put in the tent of the testimony. Our text points out the fact that as Moses entered he saw that Aaron’s rod blossomed. Without a doubt, God had chosen Aaron among all the leaders in a supernatural and demonstrable way. Leaders need to have a sense of destiny in order to be steadfast in their service to the Lord and His people. Finally, Aaron was approved by God. The blossoming of Aaron’s rod proved to all the fact that God had appointed Aaron. This is crucial for all leaders in spiritual authority. There are times of trials and testing in the life of all believers. During these times, it is God’s approval and favor that helps the believers to overcome. The certainty of God’s presence in our midst is what confirms the believers in their faith. God’s approval should never be taken lightly. It is a privilege to feel God’s touch on our lives. In conclusion, Aaron was called by God. Aaron was chosen by God. And Aaron was approved by God. Let’s learn to trust in the Lord. God did something extraordinary to demonstrate His approval of Aaron. The Lord calls all His people to serve Him. Murmurings are harmful to the Body of believers. As His people, we must guard our hearts from murmuring against our leadership. It does not please God; furthermore, it is detrimental to the believing community. May the Lord guard our hearts and mouths from speaking against others in an inappropriate way? Take a moment to reflect on your attitude toward leadership. Ask the Spirit of God to show you how to submit and pray for your leaders. Numbers 17:9 Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the LORD to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. NET Numbers 17:9 So Moses brought out all the staffs from before the LORD to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each man took his staff. NLT Numbers 17:9 When Moses brought all the staffs out from the LORD's presence, he showed them to the people. Each man claimed his own staff. ESV Numbers 17:9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the LORD to all the people of Israel. And they looked, and each man took his staff. NIV Numbers 17:9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD's presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each man took his own staff. KJV Numbers 17:9 And 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. YLT Numbers 17:9 and Moses bringeth out all the rods from before Jehovah, unto all the sons of Israel, and they look, and take each his rod. LXE Numbers 17:9 And Moses brought forth all the rods from before the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each one took his rod. ASV Numbers 17:9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before Jehovah unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. CSB Numbers 17:9 Moses then brought out all the staffs from the LORD's presence to all the Israelites. They saw them, and each man took his own staff. NKJ Numbers 17:9 Then Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the children of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. NRS Numbers 17:9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from before the LORD to all the Israelites; and they looked, and each man took his staff. NAB Numbers 17:24 Moses thereupon brought out all the staffs from the LORD'S presence to the Israelites. After each prince identified his own staff and took it, NJB Numbers 17:24 Moses then brought out all the branches from before Yahweh to all the Israelites; they examined them and each one took back his own branch. Numbers 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Moses Presents All 12 Rods MOSES' "FULL DISCLOSURE" OF THE 12 RODS! Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the LORD to all the sons of Israel - All 12 rods are brought for examination. And not just examination by the leaders but by all the sons of Israel. Each rod had the leader's name inscribed giving unquestionable proof that only Aaron's rod had sprouted. Bush - It would plainly be all-important that no suspicion of fraud should attach at all to the transaction. We may suppose, therefore, that as the rods were to be deposited “in the tabernacle of the congregation,” or in the sacred precincts, they were sealed up in one receptacle, the princes, or others authorized by them, watching it through the night to see that no dishonesty was practiced. Certainly, they were not in Moses’s custody; for “on the morrow Moses went to the Tabernacle of witness to examine them.” No charge of unfair dealing could be brought against him, and he submits the rods openly to the view of the parties interested, who took them into their hands, and, by close inspection, satisfied themselves of their identity. and they looked, and each man took his rod - Did you catch that? Each man took back his DEAD rod! (In your face!) Imagine their thoughts as the took hold of their lifeless stick. It was clear that Jehovah had not selected them as priest. Numbers 17:10 But the LORD said to Moses, "Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die." NET Numbers 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, "Bring Aaron's staff back before the testimony to be preserved for a sign to the rebels, so that you may bring their murmurings to an end before me, that they will not die." NLT Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses: "Place Aaron's staff permanently before the Ark of the Covenant to serve as a warning to rebels. This should put an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deaths." ESV Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Put back the staff of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebels, that you may make an end of their grumblings against me, lest they die." NIV Numbers 17:10 The LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die." KJV Numbers 17:10 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. YLT Numbers 17:10 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Put back the rod of Aaron, before the testimony, for a charge, for a sign to the sons of rebellion, and thou dost remove their murmurings from off me, and they do not die;' LXE Numbers 17:10 And the Lord said to Moses, Lay up the rod of Aaron before the testimonies to be kept as a sign for the children of the disobedient; and let their murmuring cease from me, and they shall not die. ASV Numbers 17:10 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the children of rebellion; that thou mayest make an end of their murmurings against me, that they die not. CSB Numbers 17:10 The LORD told Moses, "Put Aaron's staff back in front of the testimony to be kept as a sign for the rebels, so that you may put an end to their complaints before Me, or else they will die." NKJ Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Bring Aaron's rod back before the Testimony, to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die." NRS Numbers 17:10 And the LORD said to Moses, "Put back the staff of Aaron before the covenant, to be kept as a warning to rebels, so that you may make an end of their complaints against me, or else they will die." NAB Numbers 17:10 the LORD said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of the commandments, to be kept there as a warning to the rebellious, so that their grumbling may cease before me; if it does not, they will die." Aaron: Heb 9:4 a sign: Nu 16:38,40 Ex 16:32 Dt 31:19-26 rebels: 1Sa 2:12 1Sa 30:22 Ps 57:4 Isa 1:2 Hos 10:9 Eph 2:2,3 5:6 and: Nu 17:5 Numbers 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 16:32+ Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded, ‘Let an omerful of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread that I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33 Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omerful of manna in it, and place it before the LORD to be kept throughout your generations.” Exodus 25:21+ “You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the testimony (THE TWO TABLES OF THE LAW) which I will give to you. Aaron's Budding Rod, Jar of Manna, Two Tables of Law (See comments below regarding what was in the Ark) AARON'S SIGN TO TEACH FUTURE GENERATIONS But the LORD said to Moses, "Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony - This says "before" but the writer of Hebrews records that "Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant." (Heb 9:3-4+). There is actually no passage in the OT stating that either the manna (cf Ex 16:33 = "place it before the LORD.") or Aaron's rod ("before the testimony") were placed inside the ark. Obviously from the Hebrews 9 passage both were placed inside the Ark at some point in time not described in the OT. Bush - That is, return, restore it, after sufficient examination, to the place where it was deposited before the ark of the testimony. As a specimen of the manna was preserved in the golden pot within the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary, “for a keeping,” Ex. 16:33, that subsequent generations might see the bread which their fathers ate in the wilderness, so this rod was kept in the same place “for a reservation” and “for a sign,” that all that lived afterwards might be aware of the confirmation of the priesthood in Aaron’s line. to be kept as a sign against the rebels - Heb. “For a keeping, or reservation.” The rebels is more literally "the sons of contention." So Aaron's rod was a sign testifying in favor of Aaron's priesthood and against the nation's rebellion. The first sign was Nu 16:38 where the hammered censers were to "be for a sign to the sons of Israel.” UBS - The Hebrew term for sign is the same as in Nu 16:38 and should be rendered the same here. This is a key concept in chapters 16–17: here was another visible warning and reminder that the LORD’s authority and that of his chosen leaders must not be contested. Now it is interesting that almond rod would remain alive all though the days of the Ark of the Testimony because it was supernaturally sustained. It is also interesting that the sons of Israel would not actually be allowed to see this sign again because they would never be allowed in the Holy of holies to see into the Ark of the Covenant (if that is indeed where it was -- it may have been in front -- the text is difficult to interpret definitively). In that since it would not be an actual visual reminder but would be a truth they would need to remember and pass down to their children in the generations that followed. On the other hand the 12 rods in the hands of the leaders would be a visual reminder that their stick remained dead and only Aaron's brought forth life. THOUGHT - Do you have any "signs" or memorials in your family to help remind your children and grandchildren of the goodness and greatness of God? Bush - Heb. “For a sign to the sons of rebellion.” Gr. “A sign for the children of the disobedient.” This appellation is given to the Israelites from the fact, that they were so much given to rebellion that they might be said to be born of it as of a parent. This is equivalent to the testimony of Moses, Deut. 9:24, “Ye have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew you.” The use of “sons” in the sense of subjects of certain qualities is quite common in holy writ, as Ps. 89:22, “Son of wickedness;” Prov. 31:5, “Sons of affliction” (marg.); Deut. 13:13, “Sons of Belial;” and also 1 Sam. 2:12; Eph. 2:2, “Sons of disobedience.” Comp. Eph. 5:6, Mat. 11:19, 1 Pet. 1:14. Sign (Lxx = semeion)(0226)('oth) means a signal, a mark a miracle and is used to describe amazing events such as God bringing Israel out of Egypt (Ex 4:8, 9, Nu 14:22, 16:38) or a sign serving to authenticate the message as from God (1Sa 2:34, 10:7, 9) in contrast to the signs from false prophets (Dt 13:1, 2). Rebels (actually 2 words - sons + rebellion) (04805)(meri from marah = to be contentious) obstinacy, stubbornness, rebelliousness. "The term consistently stays within this tight semantic range and most often describes the Israelites' determined refusal to obey the precepts laid down by the Lord in His Law or Torah. This characteristic attitude was a visible manifestation of their hard hearts. Moses had the Book of the Law placed beside the ark of the covenant to remain there as a witness against the Israelites' rebelliousness after he died (Deut. 31:27; Nu 17:10). The Lord rejected Saul as king over Israel because of his rebellion against the command the Lord had earlier given him (1 Sam. 15:23). Continually in Ezekiel, the Lord refers to Israel as the "house of rebelliousness" (= rebellious people; Ezek. 2:5-8; 3:9, 26, 27; 12:2, 3, 9)." (Baker - CWD) Gilbrant - Derived from mārāh, "to be contentious," "to be rebellious," this noun is used twenty-three times in the OT, sixteen of which are in Ezekiel (nearly always in the phrase, "rebellious house"). The other seven occurrences of the merî are found scattered throughout the rest of the OT, with four references to a rebellious group of people, either the people of Israel or Judah, (Num. 17:10; Deut. 31:27; Neh. 9:17; Isa. 30:9), and two references to individual circumstances (Job 23:2 cites Job himself exclaiming, "even today my complaint is bitter"; Proverbs 17:11 says that "an evil person seeks only rebellion." Finally, in the memorable words of 1 Sam. 15:23, the prophet Samuel reminds Saul, "Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness like iniquity and idolatry." (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Meri - 21v -rebellion(3), rebellious(16), rebellious man(1), rebellious ones(1), rebels(1). Num. 17:10; Deut. 31:27; 1 Sam. 15:23; Neh. 9:17; Job 23:2; Prov. 17:11; Isa. 30:9; Ezek. 2:5; Ezek. 2:6; Ezek. 2:7; Ezek. 2:8; Ezek. 3:9; Ezek. 3:26; Ezek. 3:27; Ezek. 12:2; Ezek. 12:3; Ezek. 12:9; Ezek. 12:25; Ezek. 17:12; Ezek. 24:3; Ezek. 44:6 That - Term of purpose. And what a wonderful (and needed) purpose it is! BSB - The rod of Aaron was placed in the ark as a permanent testimony to the authority of the Levites and the divine appointment of the high priest (Heb. 9:4). A proper view of the relationship between the theological context of Israel and the theological context of the church must pay close attention to the emphasis placed in these chapters on the Aaronic priesthood as the only way to approach God. The N.T. doctrine of the priesthood of Christ entails as radical a departure from the old covenant as the cessation of animal sacrifices (Heb. 3:1; 4:14; 5:1-10; 7:1-28, especially vv. 11-22). You may put an end to their grumblings (PLURAL!) against Me - Heb. tekel, thou shalt end, finish, do utterly away with. Grumblings (08519)(telunah from lun = to murmur) describe speech used of Israel's murmurings against the Lord (or His representatives) and as such represent an overt act rebellion, disbelief, and disobedience to duly constituted authority. Stated another way grumblings are rebellious expressions of complaint and dissatisfaction especially against Yahweh! They complained about having no food, so the Lord rained manna and quail from the sky (Ex. 16:3-15). The congregation also complained about the report of the spies who visited the Promised Land and expressed fear of the inhabitants. The Lord afflicted them with a plague and sent them back to Sinai for forty years (Num. 14). The Israelites grumbled against the authority of Moses and Aaron (cf. Ex 16:41-17:10). Telunah used 8x in OT - Ex. 16:7; Ex. 16:8; Ex. 16:9; Ex. 16:12; Nu 14:27; Nu 17:5; Nu 17:10 Telunah is translated in the Septuagint with goggusmos which describes an utterance made in a low tone and can be a direct assault or "behind the scenes talk." THOUGHT - Grumbling = quiet, soft, behind-the-back undertone of complaining. It is the kind of criticism, dissatisfaction, faultfinding and gossip that goes on within small groups or cliques.The results of grumbling are far worse than people ever think. This is the primary reason God forbids grumbling in no uncertain terms (Php 2:14+). Grumbling hurts, damages, divides, tears down, downs a person, says “look at me”, elevates selfish opinion, opposes God’s will, hinders progress, stymies growth, misleads people, is self-centered, pushes people away from Christ and the church NET NOTE on put an end - The verb means “to finish; to complete” and here “to bring to an end.” It is the imperfect following the imperative, and so introduces a purpose clause (as a final imperfect). (ED: While the actual word "grumble" is not used the rest of Numbers, Israel did contend with Moses and Aaron in Numbers 20:1-13+). Put an end (03615)(kalah) to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. To bring a process to completion. To consummate. It can have a positive connotation (Ge 2:1-2), but more often is used in a negative sense. Gilbrant - Occurring over 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, this verb conveys a wide range of meanings. The primary meaning is the notion of "completion" of some process. This nuance is attested in an Arabic cognate meaning "to come to an end." Other cognates include "to use up" (Ugaritic, Phoenician, Targumic) and "to be weak" (Arabic, Mandaean). The completion of human work projects can be expressed by this verb (Gen. 6:16; 1 Kings 6:9), as can a thorough harvest (leaving nothing to glean), the completion of the agricultural cycle (Lev. 19:9). Human plans can be completed (Ruth 3:18). Other time periods can be denoted by this verb (Job 36:11; Ps. 90:9), and the totality of a temporal period can be expressed by kālāh (1 Sam. 3:12). The completion of a project naturally leads to the cessation of the activity. Thus, the verb is found in the context of "to finish" (Gen. 17:22). The nuance attested in other Northwest Semitic dialects of "to use up" also logically flows from this concept of completion. This meaning is also attested in the Hebrew Bible (Deut. 32:23), with the extended notion of cessation of eyesight (Lev. 26:16; 1 Sam. 2:33; Job 31:16; Jer. 14:6). A number of material objects "fade away" (Prov. 5:11; Job 4:9; Isa. 15:6) and perish (Isa. 1:28; Jer. 16:4; Ezek. 13:14). In this same line of semantic progression, one can see the extension of the concept to convey the notion "to destroy." Things which are completely used, things which fail, are things which are no longer useful for their intended purposes. Destruction can be according to plan, a completion of the thought or physical activity process. For example, Yahweh's destruction of Judah is in accord with his plan to revoke the Covenant, purify the remnant and restore the nation (Jer. 14:12). Once Assyria had completed its task assigned to it by Yahweh, of destroying the northern kingdom of Israel, Yahweh would destroy it in accord with their earned fate (Isa. 10:18). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Over 200x - accomplish(2), accomplished(1), annihilate(1), annihilated(2), been consumed(2), been spent(1), brings to pass(1), brought(1), came to an end(1), ceased(1), come to an end(5), complete(1), completed(10), completely gone(1), completion(1), consume(6), consumed(16), decided(3), demolish(1), destroy(10), destroyed(4), destroyed them all(1), destroys(1), destruction(1), determined(1), devoured(1), died(1), end(4), ended(3), ending(1), exhausted(2), exterminated(1), fail(10), failed(1), fails(2), faints(1), feed(1), finish(6), finished(67), finishes(1), fulfill(2), languish(1), languishes(1), longed(1), make an end(1), over(1), perish(1), perishing(1), plotted(1), put an end(2), ravage(1), settled(1), spend(3), spent(5), terminate(1), use(1), used(1), vanish(2), vanishes(1), waste away(1), wastes away(1), yearned(1). Gen. 2:1; Gen. 2:2; Gen. 6:16; Gen. 17:22; Gen. 18:33; Gen. 21:15; Gen. 24:15; Gen. 24:19; Gen. 24:22; Gen. 24:45; Gen. 27:30; Gen. 41:30; Gen. 41:53; Gen. 43:2; Gen. 44:12; Gen. 49:33; Exod. 5:13; Exod. 5:14; Exod. 31:18; Exod. 32:10; Exod. 32:12; Exod. 33:3; Exod. 33:5; Exod. 34:33; Exod. 39:32; Exod. 40:33; Lev. 16:20; Lev. 26:16; Lev. 26:44; Num. 4:15; Num. 7:1; Num. 16:21; Num. 16:31; Num. 16:45; Num. 17:10; Num. 25:11; Deut. 7:22; Deut. 20:9; Deut. 26:12; Deut. 28:21; Deut. 31:24; Deut. 32:23; Deut. 32:45; Jos. 8:24; Jos. 10:20; Jos. 19:49; Jos. 19:51; Jos. 24:20; Jdg. 3:18; Jdg. 15:17; Ruth 2:21; Ruth 2:23; Ruth 3:3; Ruth 3:18; 1 Sam. 2:33; 1 Sam. 3:12; 1 Sam. 10:13; 1 Sam. 13:10; 1 Sam. 15:18; 1 Sam. 18:1; 1 Sam. 20:7; 1 Sam. 20:9; 1 Sam. 20:33; 1 Sam. 24:16; 1 Sam. 25:17; 2 Sam. 6:18; 2 Sam. 11:19; 2 Sam. 13:36; 2 Sam. 13:39; 2 Sam. 21:5; 2 Sam. 22:38; 2 Sam. 22:39; 1 Ki. 1:41; 1 Ki. 3:1; 1 Ki. 6:9; 1 Ki. 6:14; 1 Ki. 6:38; 1 Ki. 7:1; 1 Ki. 7:40; 1 Ki. 8:54; 1 Ki. 9:1; 1 Ki. 17:14; 1 Ki. 17:16; 1 Ki. 22:11; 2 Ki. 10:25; 2 Ki. 13:17; 2 Ki. 13:19; 1 Chr. 16:2; 1 Chr. 27:24; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 4:11; 2 Chr. 7:1; 2 Chr. 7:11; 2 Chr. 8:8; 2 Chr. 8:16; 2 Chr. 18:10; 2 Chr. 20:23; 2 Chr. 24:10; 2 Chr. 24:14; 2 Chr. 29:17; 2 Chr. 29:28; 2 Chr. 29:29; 2 Chr. 29:34; 2 Chr. 31:1; 2 Chr. 31:7; 2 Chr. 36:22; Ezr. 1:1; Ezr. 9:1; Ezr. 9:14; Ezr. 10:17; Neh. 4:2; Est. 7:7; Job 4:9; Job 7:6; Job 7:9; Job 9:22; Job 11:20; Job 17:5; Job 19:27; Job 31:16; Job 33:21; Job 36:11; Ps. 18:37; Ps. 31:10; Ps. 37:20; Ps. 39:10; Ps. 59:13; Ps. 69:3; Ps. 71:9; Ps. 71:13; Ps. 72:20; Ps. 73:26; Ps. 74:11; Ps. 78:33; Ps. 84:2; Ps. 90:7; Ps. 90:9; Ps. 102:3; Ps. 119:81; Ps. 119:82; Ps. 119:87; Ps. 119:123; Ps. 143:7; Prov. 5:11; Prov. 16:30; Prov. 22:8; Isa. 1:28; Isa. 10:18; Isa. 10:25; Isa. 15:6; Isa. 16:4; Isa. 21:16; Isa. 24:13; Isa. 27:10; Isa. 29:20; Isa. 31:3; Isa. 32:10; Isa. 49:4; Jer. 5:3; Jer. 8:20; Jer. 9:16; Jer. 10:25; Jer. 14:6; Jer. 14:12; Jer. 16:4; Jer. 20:18; Jer. 26:8; Jer. 43:1; Jer. 44:27; Jer. 49:37; Jer. 51:63; Lam. 2:11; Lam. 2:22; Lam. 3:22; Lam. 4:11; Lam. 4:17; Ezek. 4:6; Ezek. 4:8; Ezek. 5:12; Ezek. 5:13; Ezek. 6:12; Ezek. 7:8; Ezek. 13:13; Ezek. 13:14; Ezek. 13:15; Ezek. 20:8; Ezek. 20:13; Ezek. 20:21; Ezek. 22:31; Ezek. 42:15; Ezek. 43:8; Ezek. 43:23; Ezek. 43:27; Dan. 9:24; Dan. 11:36; Dan. 12:7; Hos. 11:6; Amos 7:2; Zech. 5:4; Mal. 3:6 So that (purpose clause - a very gracious undeserved purpose!) they will not die - God is showing His great forbearance and mercy in providing the miracle of the budding rod and then establishing it as a memorial to joy their memories if they are tempted to begin grumbling at Moses and/or God!. NLT says "This should put an end to their complaints against me and prevent any further deaths." Grumble was a key word in Nu 14 (Nu 14:2 Nu 14:27 Nu 14:29 Nu 14:36) and occurred twice in each of the next two chapters (Num 16:11 Nu 16:41 Nu 17:5 Nu 17:10) From here on out the word grumbling is not found after Numbers 17. Brian Bell - Everything about the Tabernacle & its Furniture was meant as a teaching tool! We also see that every part of it pointed to Christ! Tabernacle (And the Word became flesh and dwelt/tabernacled among us); Lampstand (light of the world); Showbread (I am the bread of life); Veil (Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh)Mercy Seat (redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation/covering); Manna (I am the bread of life); Aaron’s Rod (Jesus the High Priest); Tablets/Stone (perfectly fulfilled) Warren