GOD'S FUNNY BONE

"The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron's staff, which represented the house of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds." (Numbers 17:8, NIV)

You probably do not spend a lot of time in the book of Numbers. While there is good material there, it can seem about as exciting as the driving range at Pebble Beach. "Let's get to the course!" you cry, in the same way that you would excitedly opt for the miracles of Exodus or the Gospel of Jesus.

But there is much to be learned on the driving range, just as there is much to be learned from some of Scripture's more obscure books. So today let's spend a few minutes in Numbers, where we can gain a greater sense of our God.

To begin, the story goes like this. As too often happened during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites, a few cocksure men got it into their heads that they knew better than God. "Give us the lead," they essentially told Moses, "and we'll get this job finished."

This incited God's anger, for He had chosen His leaders—Moses and Aaron—and He had chosen the course of the people. For their insolence, God put these men and their cohorts to death.

Such judgment did not sit well with the people. They grumbled against Moses and Aaron, further provoking God's ire. The Lord announced that He was prepared to judge them all with death then and there. But Moses and Aaron interceded—creating a buffer between sinners and their God, just as the Holy Spirit does on our behalf today—and God relented.

But the whining of the people annoyed God nonetheless, like a zinger to the funny bone. He hurt from their rejection and laughed at their feeble pride all at once. And the result was indeed humorous.

God commanded that all the tribes send a staff to be set before the Lord, in the Tent of Meeting. On the staff of the tribe of Levi, Aaron's name was written. Then God told Moses to inform the people that the staff that sprouted by morning was the staff of His chosen man. God would use the miracle—life from a much dead staff—to make His point.

And make His point, He did. For the next day, when Moses emerged from the tent with the staffs in hand, there was the staff of Aaron, having sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced almonds! God had gone far, far out of His way to defend His chosen vessel.

God can do the same today. Place yourself in the path of His obedience, the course of training, the process of discipline, and see what He will do with you! It will be far grander for sure than what He will do with those who seek an easy trip without Him.

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Jeff Hopper

June 12, 2007

Copyright 2007 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.