Warning against rebellion in the Church.

Warning against rebellion in the Church.

Read Numbers 17

1. Jesus used the miracle of the budding rod to warn against rebellion and against spiritual leadership.
2. The children of Israel often murmur against the leadership of Moses and Aaron, questioning why God speaks to him alone.
3. On God’s instruction, each of the tribes of Israel was instructed to place a rod in the tabernacle, with the test that the owner of the rod that buds is the one chosen by God as a spiritual leader.
4. All the tribes complied, including the tribe of Levi represented by Aaron.
5. Eventually, it was the rod of Aaron alone that budded and blossomed, confirming his spiritual ordination.
6. God used it to warn the Israelites that no other tribe except the tribe of Levi that ministered in the tabernacle would die suddenly.
7. So, any person who rebels against the spiritual leadership of Aaron shall die suddenly.
8. This is a warning to church members to avoid spiritual rebellion and to ensure that, if they need to leave a congregation, they do so without misleading, backbiting, or quarrels.