And what is remarkable if those who were entrusted by God in Christ with such a work appointed the men already mentioned? For blessed Moses, “faithful in all his house,” recorded in the sacred books everything that had been commanded him, and the other prophets followed him, bearing joint witness to the ordinances he had established.
For when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood and the tribes were rebelling over which of them was adorned with the glorious name, Moses commanded the twelve tribal leaders to bring him staffs, each inscribed with the name of its tribe. He took them, bound them together, sealed them with the rings of the tribal leaders, and placed them in the tent of testimony upon the table of God.
Then he closed the tent and sealed the keys just as he had sealed the staffs.
And he said to them, “Brothers, the tribe whose staff sprouts is the one God has chosen to serve as priests and minister to him.”
When morning came, he called together all Israel, the six hundred thousand men, showed the seals to the tribal leaders, opened the tent of testimony, and brought out the staffs. Aaron's staff was found not only to have sprouted but also to be bearing fruit.
What do you think, beloved? Did Moses not know beforehand that this was going to happen? Certainly he knew. But he acted this way so that no disorder would arise in Israel and so that the name of the true and only God might be glorified. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.