Bible Study - A Budding Staff with Almonds

January 14 – 20, 2024

Key Text

“And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Bring Aaron’s rod back before the Testimony, to be kept for a sign against the rebels, that you may put their complaints away from Me, lest they die.” Numbers 17:10

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 400–405

Introduction

“God mercifully condescended to give the host of Israel another evidence, one calculated to correct their perverted judgment.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 305

Sunday

1 EACH LEADER WITH A ROD

1.a. Throughout Old Testament times, of what has the rod been a symbol? Psalm 110:2; Isaiah 11:1–4

1.b. As each leader in Israel was to present a rod, in what manner did God have the leadership of Aaron specifically identified? Numbers 17:1–4, 6, 7

Note: “By divine direction each tribe prepared a rod and wrote upon it the name of the tribe. The name of Aaron was upon that of Levi. The rods were laid up in the tabernacle, ‘before the testimony.’ ” Patriarchs and Prophets, 403

1.c. What specific miracle was to identify God’s chosen representative to the priesthood, and what was it designed to do? Numbers 17:5, 8, 9

Monday

2 A SYMBOLIC MEMORIAL AND PROPHECY

2.a. How was Aaron’s priesthood confirmed as a reminder for future generations? Numbers 17:10–13

Note: “[In causing Aaron’s rod to bud and bear almonds,] God … wrought a miracle which was sufficient to silence the complaints of the Israelites, and which was to be a standing testimony that God had settled the priesthood upon Aaron. All the remarkable changes in the rod occurred in one night, to convince them that God had positively distinguished between Aaron and the rest of the children of Israel. After this miracle of divine power, the authority of the priesthood was no longer called in question. This wonderful rod was preserved to be frequently shown to the people, to remind them of the past, to prevent them from murmuring, and again calling in question to whom the priesthood rightfully belonged.

“After the children of Israel were fully convinced of their wrong, in unjustly accusing Moses and Aaron as they had done, they saw their past rebellion in its true light, and they were terrified. They ‘spake unto Moses, saying, Behold we die, we perish; we all perish.’ They are at length compelled to believe the unwelcome truth that their fate is to die in the wilderness. After they believed that it was indeed the Lord who had said that they should not enter the Promised Land, but should die, they then acknowledged that Moses and Aaron were right, and that they had sinned against the Lord, in rebelling against their authority. They also confessed that Korah, and those who perished with him, were sinners against the Lord, and that they had justly suffered his wrath.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 305, 306

2.b. Who is our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary? Hebrews 8:1–5

Note: “The Chief Shepherd is looking down from the heavenly sanctuary upon the sheep of His pasture.” Fundamentals of Christian Education, 273

“Now is the time when the Lord is testing character, weighing moral worth in the balances of the sanctuary. Oh, let us seek the gold tried in the fire, let us seek the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness, that the shame of our nakedness do not appear, and anoint our eyes with the heavenly eyesalve, that we may discern the working of God.” The Review and Herald, July 28, 1891

Tuesday

3 A PREPARATORY WORK

3.a. What work was done by John the Baptist prior to Christ’s first advent? Matthew 3:2; John 3:27–30

Note: “In this age, just prior to the second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven, such a work as that of John is to be done. God calls for men who will prepare a people to stand in the great day of the Lord. The message preceding the public ministry of Christ was: ‘Repent, publicans and sinners; repent, Pharisees and Sadducees; “repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ’ As a people who believe in Christ’s soon appearing, we have a message to bear—‘Prepare to meet thy God.’ Amos 4:12. Our message must be as direct as was the message of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding that his life was imperiled, he did not hesitate to declare God’s word. And our work in this age must be done as faithfully.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 332, 333

3.b. What work is to be done in these closing days of earth’s history? Isaiah 58:1; Amos 4:12

Note: “With no elaborate arguments or fine-spun theories did John declare his message. Startling and stern, yet full of hope, his voice was heard from the wilderness: ‘Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ [Matthew 3:2]. With a new, strange power it moved the people. The whole nation was stirred. Multitudes flocked to the wilderness. …

“In order to give such a message as John gave, we must have a spiritual experience like his. The same work must be wrought in us. We must behold God, and in beholding Him, lose sight of self.

“John had by nature the faults and weaknesses common to humanity; but the touch of divine love had transformed him. When, after Christ’s ministry began, the disciples of John came to him with the complaint that all men were following the new Teacher, John showed how clearly he understood his relation to the Messiah, and how gladly he welcomed the One for whom he had prepared the way.” Gospel Workers, 54–56

Wednesday

4 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

4.a. What type of experience is necessary for those who will be ready when Jesus comes? Isaiah 57:15; John 1:29

Note: “John had risen to the height of self-abnegation. He sought not to attract men to himself, but to lift their thoughts higher and still higher, until they should rest upon the Lamb of God. He himself had been only a voice, a cry in the wilderness. Now with joy he accepted silence and obscurity, that the eyes of all might be turned to the Light of life.

“Those who are true to their calling as messengers for God will not seek honor for themselves. Love for self will be swallowed up in love for Christ. They will recognize that it is their work to proclaim, as did John the Baptist: ‘Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ John 1:29. They will lift up Jesus, and with Him humanity will be lifted up.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 333, 334

4.b. How did John manifest true self–denial when he heard that many of his followers had gone after Jesus? John 3:22–30

Note: “The soul of the prophet [John], emptied of self, was filled with the light of the Divine. In words that were almost a counterpart of the words of Christ Himself, he bore witness to the Saviour’s glory. ‘He that cometh from above,’ he said, ‘is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. … For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.’ John 3:31, 34

“In this glory of Christ all His followers are to share. The Saviour could say: ‘I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.’ John 5:30. ‘And,’ declared John, ‘the Father giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him.’ So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven’s light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We can discern the character of God, and accept Christ by faith, only as we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this, the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ ‘dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him.’ Colossians 2:9, 10.” Testimonies, Vol. 8, 334

Thursday

5 MODERN KORAHS

5.a. Though prophecy shows that men like Korah will exist in the last days, what does God require from His true watchmen? 2 Timothy 4:1–4

Note: “ ‘The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.’ The apostle [Paul] does not here refer to the openly irreligious, but to the professing Christians who make inclination their guide, and thus become enslaved by self. Such are willing to listen to those doctrines only that do not rebuke their sins or condemn their pleasure-loving course. They are offended by the plain words of the faithful servants of Christ and choose teachers who praise and flatter them. And among professing ministers there are those who preach the opinions of men instead of the word of God. Unfaithful to their trust, they lead astray those who look to them for spiritual guidance.” The Acts of the Apostles, 504, 505

5.b. By giving needed reproof, what kind of opposition did both Jesus and the apostles face? John 8:40; 2 Peter 2:1–3; Jude 11. How does this relate today to the Spirit of Prophecy? Revelation 12:17; 19:10

Note: “He [Paul] was set for the defense of the church. He was to watch for souls as one that must render account to God, and should he not take notice of the reports concerning their state of anarchy and division? Most assuredly; and the reproof he sent them was written just as much under the inspiration of the Spirit of God as were any of his epistles. But when these reproofs came, some would not be corrected. They took the position that God had not spoken to them through Paul, that he had merely given them his opinion as a man, and they regarded their own judgment as good as that of Paul.

“So it is with many among our people who have drifted away from the old landmarks and who have followed their own understanding. What a great relief it would be to such could they quiet their conscience with the belief that my work is not of God. But your unbelief will not change the facts in the case. You are defective in character, in moral and religious experience. Close your eyes to the fact if you will, but this does not make you one particle more perfect. The only remedy is to wash in the blood of the Lamb.

“If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God’s people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” Testimonies, Vol. 5, 65, 66

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 How did God miraculously resolve the debate over church leadership?

2 Where was Aaron’s rod placed as a reminder for future generations?

3 In the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist, what work is to be done before the coming of Christ?

4 Describe the character of the messengers that God wants to use in these difficult last days.

5 Today, what is the clearest manifestation of the Korah leadership?

“The best efforts of the meekest man upon the earth could not quell [the Hebrews’] insubordination. The unselfish interest of Moses was rewarded with jealousy, suspicion, and calumny. His humble shepherd’s life was far more peaceful and happy than his present position as pastor of that vast congregation of turbulent spirits. Their unreasonable jealousies were more difficult to manage than the fierce wolves of the wilderness. But Moses dared not choose his own course and do as best pleased himself. He had left the shepherd’s crook at God’s command and in its place had received a rod of power. He dared not lay down this scepter and resign his position till God should dismiss him.” Testimonies, Vol. 3, 342, 343

“Ministers of the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even participation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God condemns, and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the very ones whom God commands them to reprove. He who has blunted his spiritual perceptions by sinful leniency toward those whom God condemns, will erelong commit a greater sin by severity and harshness toward those whom God approves.” The Acts of the Apostles, 504