Bibledoorajar: God Picks His Man

     After the rebellion and the deaths of over 14,000, God instructed Moses to carry out a procedure to confirm once and for all who was the spiritual leader of the Israelites.  God told Moses to have each leader or prince from every tribe fashion a staff or rod and place his name and tribe on it. Aaron's name was to be placed on the rod from the tribe of Levi. The twelve rods were placed overnight in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where God met Moses. God further said,  "and it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you." God was tired of the murmuring and He intended for everyone to see His man for the time clearly. So, as commanded,  Moses placed the rods before the Lord in the tabernacle of witness.
     The next day Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and there for all to see was the rod of Aaron, of the house of Levi, sprouted putting forth buds, producing blossoms and yielding ripe almonds. Moses took the proof to the people. The tell all rod was to be kept before God in the tabernacle of Testimony as a sign. The message was clear: look (Behold!) at the rod and stop the murmuring!! A great fear passed over the children of Israel for they feared they would surely die. But with time the princes of each tribe accepted the validation of the Aaronic priesthood. For that tine and place that priesthood and no other would show forth the glory of the Lord and care for holy things.
     Years later, Isaiah prophesied about another rod or branch. He said it would grow up tender and blossom and bring forth fruit. It would set captives free and bind up the broken hearted. One day, Jesus came on the scene and announced:  "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free"  Luke 4:13.
      In 1961, at a church gathering, a man stood to testify of his conversion experience. He proclaimed "It seemed like Heaven came down and glory filled my soul." John Peterson was listening in the audience and immediately was inspired to write the hymn, Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. Here's the first verse and chorus.

O what a wonderful, wonderful day - day I will never forget;

After I'd wandered in darkness away, Jesus my Saviour I met.

O what a tender, compassionate friend - He met the need of my heart;

Shadows dispelling, With joy I am telling, He made all the darkness depart.

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,

When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;

My sins were washed away -

And my night was turned to day -

Heaven came down and glory filled my soul!