Reflection:  Aaron’s rod

(Suggested reading, for the fuller story: Numbers 17:1-5, 8)

A jewellery box in Italian is a portagioie [porrtha-geeyoiyay]. Jewels being literally a doorway to joy, it’s a container of joy – a joy box.* That’s not unlike the Glory Box that held reminders of God’s daily mercies and covenant to two-way treasure. Numbers records another quite beautiful addition to the portagioie – a forever-fresh blossoming rod. Like each item in the box, it displayed something of the character of God and its message was poignant and hopeful for generations to come. But to the desert-wandering Israelites it was not so pretty. It recalled a sinister story through which they lived (or died) – God’s chosen people in rebellion, uprising against leaders, defiant of the Lord’s authority, grumbling and the ensuing massive death toll.

The thing is, as they realised and we do too, even with the will to wholly treasure God and each other, we simply won’t/can’t without supernatural intervention.

But God had that covered. Moses’ brother Aaron and his generations to come were appointed with priestly authority to intervene between God and his people. And Aaron’s budding rod was living proof.

Prayer:  Unlike the Israelites, I celebrate completely safe access to you, holy God. Thank you for giving Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, all authority in heaven and earth** so he could mercifully bring me into your embrace. Thank you for your lively Spirit who enables and enthuses me to do what brings you pleasure. May your world-wide church keep treasuring you and this gospel.

* porta/portàre [Latin] – to bring/carry/transport or door/gate/port and gioie – jewels or joy

**Matthew 28:18