Numbers 17

The Israelites again began complaining. Are we really any different? Do we not also complain about our leaders? Of course they aren’t perfect, neither are we. Yet God’s Word teaches us to respect authority because it is God Himself who has allowed them to be in a position of authority. How did God solve this problem of complaining about authority? Numbers 17 tells the story of the leaders putting their staffs in the tent of meeting. These staffs represented their authority. God said they would know who was chosen to be High Priest because his staff would leaf out. In the morning, it was Aaron’s rod that had leaves. Just for good measure, God saw to it that it also had blossoms and almonds!

Interesting side note, as we see in Ezekiel’s vision ( ), the Hebrew word for “almond” is similar to “watching.” The almond tree was the first to bloom and was a signal of spring. Just like they watched for the almond blossoms, God watches us for signs of faith and growth.

In this lesson, the kids can decorate sticks with tissue paper blossoms and paper leaves (or you can use silk flowers) and almonds. For a special snack, you can have them make almond sticks out of almond flour or dip pretzel rods in melted chocolate and put on almonds. I added frosting flowers and leaves.