There were some problems about who should leading the children of Israel so, “…the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, and get from them a rod (walking stick) from each father’s house…Write each man’s name on his rod…And it shall be that THE ROD OF THE MAN WHOM I CHOOSE WILL BLOSSOM; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints…which they make against you.” (Num. 17:1-5) We have to be so very careful that we never become too casual and take the Lord for granted. He always has been, is now and always will be the Holy Lord God Almighty. “…the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle and behold, the rod of Aaron, had sprouted and put forth BUDS, had produced BLOSSOMS and yielded ripe ALMONDS.” (Num. 17:8) This cycle would take about nine months in the Almond grove but God wanted to do something that would be impossible for man to do, to remind them of who He was. “…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.” (Num. 17:10)
“The children of Israel soon forgot God’s works; They did not wait for His counsel, But tested God in the desert. Therefore God said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one STOOD BEFORE HIM IN THE BREACH (perets: a gap, an opening), To turn away God’s wrath, lest He destroy them.”(Psa. 106:13-14, 23) Inside the city are God’s people. Outside are their enemies. The good shepherd must STAND IN THE GAP and fight to protect the sheep.
-Bill Stockham