6.27.25 ~ Leadership 101
Good morning!
This week's Torah portion, Korach (Num. 16-18), reveals just how ugly men can get; no wonder I don't find any difficulty in seeing myself in this section...modern mankind hasn't changed. Praise God for those who are setting the standard for us to learn from!
Truly, this section is a baffling story. The portion of Korach tells of the "Test of the Staffs/matte" conducted when people contested Aaron's appointment to the High Priesthood. God spoke/dabar to Moses to take a staff from each tribe, each inscribed with the name of the tribe's leader; Aaron's name was written on the Levite Tribe's staff. The sticks were placed overnight in the Holy of Holies in the Sanctuary. When they were removed the following morning, the entire nation beheld that Aaron's staff had blossomed overnight and bore fruit, demonstrating that Aaron was God's choice for High Priest.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and get from them a rod from each father’s house, all their leaders according to their fathers’ houses—twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod. (Num. 17:2)
"And on the following day, Moses came to the Tent of Testimony, and behold, Aaron's staff for the house of Levi had blossomed! It gave forth blossoms, sprouted buds, and produced ripe almonds. Moses took out all the staffs from before the Lord, to the children of Israel; they saw, and they took, each man his staff." (Num. 17:8,9)
In tonight's zoom call at 8:00 p.m. EST, 699 858 9149 we will look closely at this budding staff, it's connection to the 7 branched lampstand/menorah, our Messiah's resurrection, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Num. 17).
For now, enquiring minds want to know, "What was the meaning of this strange miracle"? Simply put, God could have chosen many ways to demonstrate the authenticity of Aaron’s position. In fact, hasn't He already established Aaron as the High Priest with the 3 previous incidents? Hasn't He already proven this very truth that Aaron's the man? Outside of the entire nation anointing Aaron as God's choice (Ex. 29, 30), we have the swallowing of Korach and his fellow rebels who staged a revolt against Moses and Aaron; the burning of the 250 leaders who led the mutiny; and the epidemic that spread among those who accused Moses and Aaron of killing the nation. If these three miracles did not suffice, what would a fourth one possibly achieve? Is it, 'at first if you don't succeed, try, try again'? What's the significance of the budding staff? Enquiring minds want to know :-)
Could it be, besides what we will talk about tonight on the zoom call (a shameless plug for you to join us), that the blossoming of the staff was meant, not so much to prove who the high priest is, which has clearly been established, but rather to demonstrate what it takes to be chosen as a high priest of God? Could this miracle explain to us and establish for every leader why Aaron was chosen to this position? There's always so many questions! But for this 27th day of counting towards the first fruit of the wine, let's look at just one amazing leadership qualification.
Prior to being severed from the tree, this staff grew, produced leaves, and was full of vitality. But now, as with the other 11 staffs', they have been severed from their roots, it has become dry and lifeless; like a branch worthy of the fire (Jn. 15:6).
The primary quality of a Kohen Gadol/High Priest, of any leader within God's economy, is his or her ability to transform lifeless sticks into living orchards. The real leader is the person who sees the possibility for growth and life, whereas others see and experience stagnation and lifelessness. The chosen leader perceives even in a dead stick the potential for rejuvenation.
That my friends is leadership 101! A leader always sees someone from the finish line and they help people get to their high calling. Can you imagine the wisdom that Aaron was going to need to employ towards those other 11 disappointed leaders?
The body of Christ, Messiah, is looking for leaders who are called and anointed. None of us will ever be a High Priest. That position is already taken (Heb. 4:14-16), but you can be a budding, blossoming and fruit bearing leader.
Happy preparation day! Shabbat shalom!
Alan
Truly, this section is a baffling story. The portion of Korach tells of the "Test of the Staffs/matte" conducted when people contested Aaron's appointment to the High Priesthood. God spoke/dabar to Moses to take a staff from each tribe, each inscribed with the name of the tribe's leader; Aaron's name was written on the Levite Tribe's staff. The sticks were placed overnight in the Holy of Holies in the Sanctuary. When they were removed the following morning, the entire nation beheld that Aaron's staff had blossomed overnight and bore fruit, demonstrating that Aaron was God's choice for High Priest.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and get from them a rod from each father’s house, all their leaders according to their fathers’ houses—twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod. (Num. 17:2)
"And on the following day, Moses came to the Tent of Testimony, and behold, Aaron's staff for the house of Levi had blossomed! It gave forth blossoms, sprouted buds, and produced ripe almonds. Moses took out all the staffs from before the Lord, to the children of Israel; they saw, and they took, each man his staff." (Num. 17:8,9)
In tonight's zoom call at 8:00 p.m. EST, 699 858 9149 we will look closely at this budding staff, it's connection to the 7 branched lampstand/menorah, our Messiah's resurrection, and the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Num. 17).
For now, enquiring minds want to know, "What was the meaning of this strange miracle"? Simply put, God could have chosen many ways to demonstrate the authenticity of Aaron’s position. In fact, hasn't He already established Aaron as the High Priest with the 3 previous incidents? Hasn't He already proven this very truth that Aaron's the man? Outside of the entire nation anointing Aaron as God's choice (Ex. 29, 30), we have the swallowing of Korach and his fellow rebels who staged a revolt against Moses and Aaron; the burning of the 250 leaders who led the mutiny; and the epidemic that spread among those who accused Moses and Aaron of killing the nation. If these three miracles did not suffice, what would a fourth one possibly achieve? Is it, 'at first if you don't succeed, try, try again'? What's the significance of the budding staff? Enquiring minds want to know :-)
Could it be, besides what we will talk about tonight on the zoom call (a shameless plug for you to join us), that the blossoming of the staff was meant, not so much to prove who the high priest is, which has clearly been established, but rather to demonstrate what it takes to be chosen as a high priest of God? Could this miracle explain to us and establish for every leader why Aaron was chosen to this position? There's always so many questions! But for this 27th day of counting towards the first fruit of the wine, let's look at just one amazing leadership qualification.
Prior to being severed from the tree, this staff grew, produced leaves, and was full of vitality. But now, as with the other 11 staffs', they have been severed from their roots, it has become dry and lifeless; like a branch worthy of the fire (Jn. 15:6).
The primary quality of a Kohen Gadol/High Priest, of any leader within God's economy, is his or her ability to transform lifeless sticks into living orchards. The real leader is the person who sees the possibility for growth and life, whereas others see and experience stagnation and lifelessness. The chosen leader perceives even in a dead stick the potential for rejuvenation.
That my friends is leadership 101! A leader always sees someone from the finish line and they help people get to their high calling. Can you imagine the wisdom that Aaron was going to need to employ towards those other 11 disappointed leaders?
The body of Christ, Messiah, is looking for leaders who are called and anointed. None of us will ever be a High Priest. That position is already taken (Heb. 4:14-16), but you can be a budding, blossoming and fruit bearing leader.
Happy preparation day! Shabbat shalom!
Alan
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