A while back, I read these lines in the book of Numbers:
?The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites?. The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron?s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.? (17:5, 8)
I have a sort of staff that I whittled out of a branch years ago at Forest Home Family Camp. I used it for hiking around camp and brought it home. It was and is definitely dead, as I imagine was Aaron's. The only life in it now might be any bugs that have since taken up residence.
The idea that it would sprout is completely impossible and absolutely ridiculous. I might glue some plastic leaves on it to make it appear alive, but I couldn?t actually bring it to life. It?s dead wood. But the presence of God cannot only bring life to what was dead, but it can bring fruitfulness that blesses others. Aaron?s staff represented his leadership in the tribe of Levi?the priestly tribe. It is this staff that God would cause to sprout as evidence of choseness.
God not only makes the staff sprout, but bud, blossom and produce almonds. God likes to do more good than we expect, especially where our expectations have been low to non-existent. Aaron had absolutely no expectation for a dead almond branch to sprout, let alone produce almonds.
God likes to do the impossible in ways that bring unexpected blessing through our servant leadership. (Tweet This)
REFLECTION
- Where do you see deadness in your life, your relationships, your work, wherever?
- How might God wish to surprise you and bless others by bringing his life in just these very places?
