Nu. 17: Aaron's Staff Buds

The Israelites still needed convincing as to who would be their leader.

God says, "I'll put an end to this grumbling once and for all." Right?

So he has each tribal head bring his staff to the Tabernacle, and whoever God chooses, that man's staff will bud. So all twelve tribes were represented, plus Aaron, who represented Levi. Each staff was inscribed with the tribe's leader's name.

Overnight, not only did Moses find Aaron's staff budding, but it had also blossomed, and bore almonds. I imagine it probably looked like a wooden version of the Lampstand.

Moses brought out all the staffs and gave them back to their rightful owners. He put Aaron's staff by the ark of the covenant to be a sign to the rebellious, "so that they will not die."

But the Israelites kept on panicking and complaining, saying "Oh no, we're doomed! We are lost!" etc.

Interesting how they don't respect Moses as a leader until there is something to complain about.