Congregation Beth Ha'Mashiach
(House of the Messiah) - Worshipping ADONAI
& His Messiah, Yeshua Ha'Mashiach
Living & teaching as our
Messiah taught us to Live
Messianic
Congregation serving Northeast Atlanta Georgia (Gwinnett, Barrow, Dekalb,
Rockdale, Walton)
Phone 770
554-2867 - email:
rabbi@cbhm.org
Korach - קרח : “Korach” Torah : Numbers 16:1–18:32 Haftarah : 1 Samuel 11:14–12:22 Gospel : John 9–10
The Priest on the Throne
Thought for the Week:
The blossoming of Aaron’s staff is the definitive sign that indicates God’s choice of Aaron. But what is it really? A staff is nothing but a dead branch of wood, a dry and lifeless stick. When the staff
blossoms and brings forth buds, producing almonds, it is coming back to life. In Numbers 17, the definitive sign of God’s choice is resurrection. So too with Yeshua. His resurrection is the definitive sign that
indicates God’s choice.
Commentary:
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.”
(Numbers 17:10)
Moses and the Children of Israel kept Aaron’s staff in the ark as a testimony of God’s choice of the house of Aaron. According to Jewish legend, though, “The same staff was held in the hand of every king
until the Temple was destroyed, and then it was hidden away. That same staff also is destined to be held in the hand of King Messiah.” (Numbers Rabbah 18:23)
The Bible never mentions any of the kings of Judah wielding the staff of Aaron. For the kings to wield the priestly staff would seem to blur the distinctive roles of the monarchy and the priesthood. However,
the staff of Aaron symbolized God’s choice of a man for office. One can imagine the kings of Israel displaying Aaron’s staff as part of their effort to prove their divine appointment to the throne. Lest there
be any grumblers or rebels who opposed the new king’s ascent to the throne, let them look upon Aaron’s staff and remember what God does to grumblers and rebels. After all, the staff was to be “kept as a sign
against the rebels, that you may put an end to their grumblings.” (Numbers 17:10) Therefore, it is reasonable to suppose that the kings of Judah might have taken the staff of Aaron in hand as one of their
coronation rituals. At the end of Judean monarchy, however, the ark was lost (or hidden away) and Aaron’s staff with it.
The Midrash Rabbah assures us that when Messiah comes, Aaron’s staff will be placed into His hand. As a proof text, it cites a verse from Psalm 110, the psalm most quoted by the Apostles as they
taught about Yeshua:
That same staff also is destined to be held in the hand of King Messiah (may he come speedily in our days), as it says [in Psalm 110:2], “The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
‘Rule in the midst of Your enemies.’” (Numbers Rabbah 18:23)
Moses was the prophet and king. Aaron was the priest. When Yeshua comes again, He comes as a king, but he is also a prophet and a priest. In that regard He unites the monarchy and the priesthood and is
worthy to wield the staff of Aaron. In Yeshua, the two offices of king and priest are reconciled.
May He come speedily in our days!
Shavuah Tov! Have a Good Week!
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