Numbers 17
Lutheran reading notes
In Numbers chapter 17, the story continues to develop the theme of Israel’s wilderness journey and preparation for the promised land. Lutheran interpretation often highlights how the events reveal humanity’s need for God’s grace and the reliability of God's promises. The chapter illustrates both the reality of human weakness and the faithfulness of God who works through history.
1
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Numbers 17:1 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
Speak 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.
Numbers 17:2 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And 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.
Numbers 17:3 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Numbers 17:4 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And 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.
Numbers 17:5 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And 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. {a rod...: Heb. a rod for one prince, a rod for one prince}
Numbers 17:6 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
Numbers 17:7 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And 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.
Numbers 17:8 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Numbers 17:9 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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. {rebels: Heb. children of rebellion}
Numbers 17:10 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And Moses did {so}: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Numbers 17:11 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
Numbers 17:12 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?
Numbers 17:13 highlights pilgrimage and testing with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.