The Budding Rod (2022) Painting by Ilse Kleyn Jordaan

(Aaron’s rod) The Budding Staff
We read about this amazing story of a dead piece of wood, coming to life and budding overnight in Numbers 17:1-13.
Num 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.
In Jesus, we that are dead, are raised up to life by the living Word - Jesus. In Joh 11:25 “Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he dies, yet he shall live.” Jesus was the first dead rod that was resurrected to life, in Him, we can also live, and have life abundantly. We may seem to be mere bare rods, but if we become united to Christ by a living faith, we shall partake of His resurrected life. “A man can receive nothing, except it is given him from heaven.” “From me is thy fruit found,” Hos 14:8.
The Father’s appointed High Priest is Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.
Aaron’s rod was also a picture of our authority as priests in God’s Kingdom - His children. 1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people;…”
The Blossoms, buds, and fruit are a picture of the fruit in our lives and the promise of fruit. Only through His Holy Spirit are we able to bear fruit when we eat His seed - The Word. No other seed can produce Kingdom fruit. We will be known by our fruit. Looking at this story, it is very important to see how those God has chosen can be identified; they are fruitful. John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth, not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
A rod was a symbol of authority in Bible times and in essence, this section in the Word is a reminder that God does not put up with rebellion against Himself or His chosen representatives on earth. Hís anointed, appointed leaders. True Godly leadership as demonstrated by Yeshua, is servanthood and our fruit is measured by our love for each other and obedience to God’s Word.
Now read this passage again slowly and may the Holy Spirit water your soul:
John 15:1-17 (AMP)” I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit].
You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you]. Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.
I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.
I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you].
If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love.
I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.
"This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.
No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends.
You are my friends if you keep on doing what I command you.
I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed and placed and purposefully planted you so that you would go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit will remain and be lasting, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name [as My representative] He may give to you.
This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another.

The Almond Blossoms
The Almond Tree is the 1st tree to awake in spring and the last tree to shed its leaves, thus the longest tree to ‘stay awake’. We also read of the Almond tree in Jer 1: 11-12 “ …. Jeremiah, what sees thou? And I said I see a rod of an Almond tree. Then said the Lord unto me, thou hast seen well; for I hasten My Word to perform it.”
The word contains the significance of watching and hastening. The word for almond tree in Hebrew is SHA’KAD, and the word for “I will hasten” (Jer 1:12) is SHO’KED, from the same root. The almond was the emblem of the Divine forwardness in bringing God’s promises to pass.
Father God gives the answer for what an almond stands for; It is a picture of His Word. This means “to be watchful, to remain watchful, on the lookout and alert at all times”.
Psl 1. ..But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].

The Bee
The bee has historically been seen as a symbol of Jesus Christ's attributes. The bee also shows commitment and preparedness to achieve the objectives of the team, working in a team, and defending the team. They literally live to serve their queen. They are servants of their kingdom. We are placed on earth not to bestow time and effort on our earthly desires but to serve Him and achieve the greater purpose of our lives. We are not to live for ourselves but to help the people around us to grow and know Him, serving our King and His Kingdom here on earth.
And do not forget the obvious - the bee symbolizes a call to holiness in order to receive God’s promises (land of milk and honey).

Related themes

RodBlossomsAlmond BlossomsHandBee