民數記 17
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
亞倫的杖
17 耶和華對摩西說： 2 「你叫以色列各支派的首領每人拿一根杖來，共十二根，你要在上面寫上他們各人的名字。 3 你要把亞倫的名字寫在利未支派的杖上，每個支派的首領都要有一根杖。 4 你要把這些杖放在會幕內的約櫃前，就是我跟你會面的地方。 5 誰的杖發芽，誰就是我所揀選的人。這樣，我必消除以色列人對你們的埋怨。」 6 於是，摩西吩咐以色列每個支派的首領把杖都交給他，包括亞倫的杖在內，共十二根。 7 他把杖放在放約櫃的聖幕裡——耶和華面前。 8 第二天，摩西進入約櫃所在的聖幕裡，看見利未支派亞倫的杖不單發了芽，長了花蕾，還開了花，結出熟杏。 9 摩西就從耶和華那裡拿出所有的杖給以色列人看。他們看後，各位首領便取回自己的杖。 10 耶和華對摩西說：「把亞倫的杖放回約櫃前，讓叛逆之徒引以為戒。這樣，你就可以平息他們對我的怨言，使他們不致滅亡。」 11 摩西照耶和華的吩咐行了。 12 以色列人對摩西說：「完了！我們死定了！我們全死定了！ 13 凡走近耶和華聖幕的都要死，我們豈不是全都要滅亡嗎？」
Numbers 17
The Voice
17 The Eternal One continued.
Eternal One (to Moses): 2-3 Tell the Israelites that you’ll need twelve staffs—one for each of the extended families. Engrave on each one the respective leader’s name. (Aaron’s name should be on the Levi family’s staff.) 4 Bring the staff of each of them into the congregation tent and lay them in front of My tablets of witness with you in the place where I meet you. 5 I will indicate the person whom I choose by making his particular staff grow shoots and leaves. This will end once and for all any complaints about your leadership.
6-7 Moses passed these instructions on to the Israelites, and they all agreed to do it. They each gave their staffs as leaders representing their extended families with Aaron’s staff among them. Then Moses placed them before the Eternal One in the tent of the congregation and before the covenant. 8 The next day, when Moses went into the tent where the covenant was kept, it was obvious that Aaron of the Levite family was God’s choice. Aaron’s staff had grown not only little buds, but it had actually flowered and developed fully-ripened almonds. 9 Moses carried the staffs out of the Eternal’s presence, showed them to the congregation, and redistributed them to the twelve leaders.
Eternal One (to Moses): 10 Return Aaron’s staff to the tent and place it in front of the covenant, to serve as a reminder of whom I’ve chosen to lead this people. Let it be a warning to any who would question or undermine your leadership. I have made My choice clear and will kill anyone who persists in challenging it.
11 So Moses returned Aaron’s staff to the tent just as the Eternal told him to do.
The rod or staff is a symbol of guidance, protection, and power. At this time, the people are confused and afraid because the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram—followed by their sudden and absolute judgment—has caused the Israelites to think hard about their situation. Remember they said in response to God’s judgment, “What if the earth swallows us up too?” They are truly in awe of God. Immediately after this upheaval, God establishes the leadership of Aaron and his successors using the staff of Aaron. Only his staff and not those of the other leaders is affected. His staff not only buds but it bears fruit—almonds. Like the symbols of the testimony and the manna, the staff is a memorial for the people. With the staff, they are reminded that the Lord provides and protects.
Israelites (to Moses): 12 We’re going to die! We will be destroyed! 13 If anyone comes close to the tent where the Eternal One is supposed to meet with us, then he’ll die. Will we all die, then?
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.