Numbers 17

God Tells Moses to Gather 12 Staffs

1 The Lord told Moses.

2 Tell the Israelites to bring you twelve wooden staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each leader’s name on their staff.

3 Write Aaron’s name on the staff for the tribe of Levi, since he is their leader.

4 Place the staffs inside the Tabernacle, in front of the Ark of the Covenant, where I meet with you.

5 The staff that sprouts will show who I have chosen. This will stop the Israelites from complaining against you.

Aaron’s Staff Buds

6 So Moses gave the instructions to the Israelites, and all the tribal leaders gave him their staffs, twelve in total. Aaron’s staff was among them.

7 Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the Tabernacle.

8 The next day, when Moses entered the Tabernacle, Aaron’s staff had budded. It had sprouted leaves, bloomed flowers, and even had almonds growing on it.

9 Moses brought out all the staffs and showed them to the Israelites. Each leader took back his staff.

God Tells Moses to Keep Aaron’s Staff as a Sign

10 The Lord told Moses, Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Ark of the Covenant as a sign to stop the Israelites from rebelling. If they keep complaining, they will die.

11 So Moses did exactly what the Lord commanded.

The Israelites Are Terrified

12 The Israelites said to Moses, We are doomed! We are all are going to die!

13 Anyone who even comes near the Lord’s Tabernacle will die! Are we all are going to be wiped out,