Reading: Numbers 17-18, Psalm 45

American professional sports are a fascinating study in the human perception of authority. More specifically, the watching of American professional sports by the American public. Based on my observation, the amount of sports expertise present on living room couches and on bar stools far eclipses that of the coaches of the teams actually playing the games. In volume, not in quality. The great majority of observers have opinions on how the games should be run, either by the coaches or the referees. But somehow, despite all their (often high volume) pronouncements of their opinions, the game proceeds as it they had said nothing. It turns out that everyone is entitled to their opinions, but some opinions count for more than others.

Yesterday we read about the rebellion led by Korah, a Levite who took issue with Moses and Aaron holding unique roles in the community. He managed to rustle up quite a few malcontents, but his rebellion ended when he was swallowed up in a instant sinkhole. But that wasn’t quite the end of the story, as even after his death, the people grumble that Moses and Aaron have killed the people of God. The very tail end of the story is a scene where Moses and Aaron make an emergency atonement offering for the people. As one might expect, that wasn’t really quite the end of the story.

Today we pick up with God’s direction for Moses to gather the staffs of the chiefs of each tribe for a test of leadership. While this certainly proceeds from the story at the end of chapter 16, it in a way proceeds from the stories we have been reading for the last several days about authority. As soon as the people of Israel left Sinai, they began grumbling about Moses. When they come to the borders of the promised land, some of the tribal leaders gave a report that frightened the people, then launched a rebellion. Even Aaron and Miriam get caught up in challenging Moses’ role as God’s spokesman. Finally we get this rebellion from within the tribe of Levi. God has had enough, and decides to give the people of Israel a literal object lesson.

The test is pretty straightforward. The leaders of the tribes have their names carved on their staffs, so there can’t be any argument about whose is which. Then each staff is placed in the tabernacle in front of the testimony- the ark and it’s contents, which at this point consist of the tablets of the covenant and a jar of manna. God says he will make the staff of his chosen leader burst into live growth. The next day Moses goes in and brings out the staffs, and Aaron’s staff has grown to the point of bearing ripe almonds. Moses shows the staffs to everyone, then God has Moses add Aaron’s staff to the testimony in the ark. The people respond by completely melting down- they freak out that they will die if they approach God.

So what is going on here? The test is straightforward enough, but why should the people respond like that, when we already know that the regulations for the priesthood told them how they were to approach God: through the high priest, Aaron, and his sons. There are a few possibilities. First, they might not have known that this was the purpose of the priesthood. But with all the time at Sinai, this seems unlikely. Second, they may have been told otherwise by their rebellious leaders and later Korah. This seems very possible, as Korah proclaimed some rather unorthodox things during his short presence in the story. Third, they might be wondering if Aaron will be interested in representing them before God with the way they had been treating him and Moses. All three of these may have been true to some extent.

So God answers all of the above concerns. He once again declares that Aaron and his sons will bear the guilt of the people of Israel. He publicly reiterates the role of the priests and of the tribe of Levi as intercessors for the people of Israel. We get the shorthanded version of the priestly codes from Leviticus. There can no longer be any doubt among these people that the high priest carries their guilt and makes atonement for them. It is clear that this is not optional for Aaron- he is the high priest whether he likes the people very much or not. God is defining the rules in order to put an end to these rebellions against his established leaders.