Numbers 17:8 “Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds.” 

 AARON WAS

 What a way to show the people whom God had chosen to lead!  There had just been the uprising.  People had died.  They were grumbling about who was in charge and who was holy.  God decided to show them whom He had chosen to lead.  But why didn’t God just tell them?  He wanted to give them a reminder for the coming generations.

Now, you may not think it too extraordinary for an almond stick (not the tree) to sprout, produce blooms and then ripe almonds overnight.  Did you know that it normally takes about six months from the time of the blooming until there are ripe almonds?  So, an overnight production would have been amazing.  God wanted this rod put in the ark as a reminder to them and future generations.

TEACHING MOMENT

Have you ever had your children question your authority as a parent?  If you haven’t, I pray you don’t.  But remember this – no amount of questioning can change the fact that YOU are the parent and YOU are in charge.  Children have to be reminded of that sometime, especially as they enter those teenage years.

This would be a great passage to show them.  God has established roles for each of us to fill.  Parents lead children, not the other way around.  Parents, especially fathers, have the responsibility to train their children.  Sometimes that is not easy.  That doesn’t diminish the responsibility.

Are you leading well?  Do you lead by intimidation or by love?  That is the key to leading your children.  I haven’t said this in a while, but you are not just raising children.  You are raising child raisers.  You are raising your grandchildren’s parents.  Remember that.

Holy Father, remind me daily of my responsibilities to lead my children.  Teach me to lead as You lead me.  Let my children rise up and call me holy because of You.