relationships (Numbers 17:1-11) Producing Fruit

(Numbers 17:1-11) Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and get from them a rod for each father’s household: twelve rods, from all their leaders according to their fathers’ households. You shall write each name on his rod, 3 and write Aaron’s name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for the head of each of their fathers’ households. 4 You shall then deposit them in the tent of meeting in front of the testimony, where I meet with you. 5 It will come about that the rod of the man whom I choose will sprout. Thus I will lessen from upon Myself the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling against you.” 6 Moses therefore spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod apiece, for each leader according to their fathers’ households, twelve rods, with the rod of Aaron among their rods. 7 So Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in the tent of the testimony.

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. 9 Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the Lord to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod. 10 But the Lord said to Moses, “Put back the rod of Aaron before the testimony to be kept as a sign against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings against Me, so that they will not die.” 11 Thus Moses did; just as the Lord had commanded him, so he did.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

God used the sprouting rod as an illustration to the people, to reveal who He had chosen to serve Him in the tent of the testimony.  It is the same way with us today! True believers of Christ will produce fruit - because of what God does in our lives - and this will be evident to others.

This is not about comparing ourselves with others, or complaining that so-and-so gets to do such-and-such...  Certainly we can be inspired by others, but our focus should be on our own spiritual growth and our own walk with God.

It is not just that we are "good people".  Anyone can be good. It is all about God working in us and through us, and it is God producing the fruit.  People should see the evidence of God in our lives.  This spiritual fruit is a miracle!  Just like Aaron's rod, which was before God, sprouted fruit over night without being planted in any soil... As believers, we are planted in God's power!  As we are nourished by and rely on God's word and His power, as we obediently live in His will and serve Him and others, He will grow us and bring about the spiritual fruit.