Aaron's rod is the other artifact in the Ark of the Covenant. The first artifact we discussed last week was the bowl of manna, which reminded the Israelites that God was their provider. Aaron's rod that budded represented God's election of Aaron to be the high priest of the Nation of Israel. God chose the tribe of Levi, one of the sons of Jacob, to be His servants to take care of the Tabernacle, and this includes the priests. Only Aaron and his sons were eligible to be priests in God's presence, and among the priests, God chose the high priest. In Numbers 16-17, Korah, the cousin of Aaron, and 250 prominent men gathered together to challenge the authority of Aaron. They said to Aaron and Moses in Numbers 16:3, "You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the LORD, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the LORD's people?" Korah wanted to be a priest, although God did not call him to be a priest because he was not from the line of Aaron. To prove that God chose Aaron to be the high priest of Israel, God told Moses to bring everyone's rods or staffs, and whoever had the rod's blossom was the one that God had chosen. The next day, Aaron's rod blossomed; as a result, no one challenged Aaron's priestly line after this event.
God chose Aaron and his sons to be the priests of the nation of Israel not because they were holier, smarter, or better-looking than others but because of His sovereign will. Too often, churches have splits and divisions because many people are challenging the calling of their pastors or spiritual leaders because they want to be the pastors or leaders themselves, although God is not calling them to be pastors and leaders. They love the position of authority to think that they can do better. However, without the calling of God, their plans will be thwarted by God. Unfortunately, the entire congregation suffers. We have to examine ourselves and pray to God before we challenge the authority of our spiritual leaders in our congregations. There are no perfect pastors and Christian leaders. However, God is always at work in the hearts of those He called to be spiritual leaders. He disqualifies and disciplines His leaders who are unfaithful and abusive to their congregations.
Let us guard ourselves from envy of spiritual leadership or authority. Let us not step into spiritual authority if God is not calling us to that position. Pastoralship and leadership in the church are God's calling. Everybody is called to be a leader in their sphere of influence, but not everybody is called to be in the office of leadership. Romans 12:6-8 says, "In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So, if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Does the office of leadership in God's church is God's calling? How should I treat those who God chooses to be in spiritual leadership? What does God do when the spiritual leader is in sin?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, please protect my heart from envying the position of authority. Please help me to walk in humility and be a servant, just as you are a servant King. Please help me to show respect to those whom you put spiritual leadership above me and pray for them to lead effectively and according to your ways. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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