Numbers 17:1-12 tells us the story of Aaron’s rod that budded, showing the miraculous power of God.
I’m not a Bible Scholar and there are so many layers to scripture. Just keep in mind that the application of scripture is personal and varied.
That’s what makes God’s word so powerful and so exciting!
Today, we’re looking at this scripture about Aaron’s Rod that Budded through the lens of business because this is a business devotion blog post.
I want to focus on how quickly things can change when God’s mighty hand shows up.
Let’s take a look at the full text.
Then we can unpack it a little and tease out the application for our lives and business.
Aaron’s Rod that Budded (Numbers 17:1-12)
17 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff.
3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you.
5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”
6 So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and their leaders gave him twelve staffs, one for the leader of each of their ancestral tribes, and Aaron’s staff was among them.
7 Moses placed the staffs before the Lord in the tent of the covenant law.
8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
9 Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the Lord’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.
10 The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.”
11 Moses did just as the Lord commanded him.
12 The Israelites said to Moses, “We will die! We are lost, we are all lost! 13 Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all going to die?”
Today I want to focus on verse 8.
Numbers 17:8
The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. (Numbers 17:8) Share on XSignificance of a Staff or Rod
In bible times, a staff or rod was a symbol of authority and power.
The power isn’t in the rod, it’s just a symbol.
It’s a symbol of God’s power.
There are many examples in the Bible illustrating this such as shepherds herding their sheep.
But the most well known story that illustrates it is probably the story of Moses.
We’re all familiar with how God directed Moses in using his staff and he was able to make water flow from a rock, turn the staff into a snake, and even part the Red Sea using it.
Not to be too technical, but some of those miracles we attribute to Moses and his staff simply because we don’t slow down when we read the scriptures (I’m guilty of that for sure).
Many of those miracles were done with Aaron’s Rod.
Regardless, the staff is just a symbol.
The real power comes from God.
In fact, sometimes we all need to be reminded of this.
Moses got in a little trouble with God because at one point he was told to speak to a rock to make water come from it.
However, he wanted to do it like he did it before and he got frustrated, so he struck the rock instead.
This was not what God told him to do and he was punished for it (and punished severely).
Below are some of the miracles God did using Moses and the rod of Moses as a tool for his divine purpose.
Miracles Moses Performed with his Staff (and God’s Power)
- Turning the Rod into a Serpent
- Moses threw his rod to the ground, and it became a serpent, demonstrating God’s power to Pharaoh and his magicians. (Exodus 7:8–12)
- Turning the Nile into Blood
- Using the rod, Moses struck the waters of the Nile, turning them into blood, making the river undrinkable and killing the fish. This was the first plague in Egypt. (Exodus 7:19–21)
- Summoning the Plague of Frogs
- By stretching his rod over the waters of Egypt, Moses caused frogs to swarm throughout the land. (Exodus 8:5–6)
- Summoning the Plague of Gnats (Lice)
- Moses struck the dust of the ground with his rod, and it turned into gnats (or lice) that infested humans and animals. (Exodus 8:16–17)
- Bringing the Plague of Hail
- At God’s command, Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven, and a severe hailstorm struck Egypt, devastating crops and livestock. (Exodus 9:22–26)
- Summoning the Plague of Locusts
- By stretching out his rod, Moses brought a swarm of locusts to cover the land, consuming all remaining crops. (Exodus 10:12–15)
- Parting the Red Sea
- Moses stretched his rod over the Red Sea, and God parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. The waters then returned to drown Pharaoh’s pursuing army. (Exodus 14:16–28)
- Bringing Water from the Rock at Horeb
- At God’s command, Moses struck a rock with his rod, and water miraculously flowed out to quench the Israelites’ thirst. (Exodus 17:5–6)
- Defeating the Amalekites
- During a battle with the Amalekites, Moses held up his rod, and as long as it was raised, the Israelites prevailed. When he lowered it, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. Aaron and Hur supported his arms to ensure victory. (Exodus 17:9–13)
These miracles highlight the central role of Moses’ rod as an instrument of God’s power throughout the story of the Exodus.
How does this relate to Business?
Why God Cares About Your Business Success: A Biblical Perspective
Many people wonder if God is interested in their professional endeavors or business success.
The Bible reveals that God does care about our work and business because it is an integral part of His design for humanity.
Here are several reasons, supported by Scripture, that demonstrate why God is invested in your business success and how you can align your work with His purposes.
1. God Created Work as Part of His Divine Plan
Work was part of God’s original design for humanity.
In Genesis 1:28, God blessed Adam and Eve and gave them the mandate to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.
This includes cultivating the earth and managing its resources.
Genesis 2:15 further emphasizes this when God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to “work it and keep it.”
Your business is an extension of this mandate.
Whether you are providing goods, services, or employment opportunities, you are fulfilling God’s call to steward creation and contribute to human flourishing.
2. God Delights in Your Prosperity
The Bible makes it clear that God desires His people to prosper.
In Psalm 35:27, we read, “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
This prosperity isn’t limited to finances but encompasses well-being, growth, and success in all areas of life, including business.
God’s interest in your success is not about greed or selfish gain.
Instead, it’s about equipping you to bless others and advance His kingdom.
As Deuteronomy 8:18 reminds us, “But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant.”
3. Your Business Can Be a Platform for Witnessing
Your business success allows you to reflect God’s character and share His love with others.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
A successful business can serve as a platform to demonstrate integrity, generosity, and excellence, pointing people to God.
Colossians 3:23–24 reminds us to work “with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.”
When your business operates with God’s principles, it becomes a testimony of His goodness.
4. God Provides Wisdom for Business Success
God promises to guide and equip us in our endeavors.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Running a business requires wisdom, discernment, and creativity—all of which God is eager to provide when we seek Him.
Proverbs 3:5–6 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. “In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
This applies directly to business decisions, strategies, and challenges.
5. Generosity Reflects God’s Heart
God’s blessings in your business are not just for personal gain but for the benefit of others.
Proverbs 11:25 states, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Successful businesses often have the opportunity to give back to their communities, support charitable causes, and invest in others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 underscores this principle: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
When you use your business to bless others, you participate in God’s mission of love and provision.
6. Faithfulness in Business Honors God
The Bible values diligence and faithfulness in work. Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”
Excellence and dedication in business honor God and open doors for greater influence and opportunities.
Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) also illustrates the importance of using the resources God has entrusted to us wisely.
The servant who multiplied his talents was commended and rewarded, showing that God values productivity and stewardship.
7. Success Enables You to Fulfill Your Purpose
Your business success positions you to fulfill your God-given purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 declares, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Through your business, you can create jobs, meet needs, and impact lives for God’s glory.
Additionally, success in your work can fund ministry efforts, support missionaries, and expand the reach of the gospel.
Proverbs 3:9–10 encourages us to “honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it”.
My understanding is that this is one of the only places (if not the only place) in the bible where God challenges us to test him.
I’ve even hear non-christians in the business world swear by this as a strategy for building more wealth.
They even say that their not sure how it works, but it works.
So I encourage you to begin consistently tithing on your business success if you don’t already do it and see what God will do.
Conclusion
God cares deeply about your business success because it aligns with His purposes for creation, reflects His character, and advances His kingdom.
By seeking His guidance, operating with integrity, and using your success to bless others, you can honor God in your work and experience His blessings.
Remember the words of Joshua 1:8: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
Trust in God, commit your business to Him, and watch how He works through you to accomplish His plans.
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51 Bible Verses that Will Empower You
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God Bless,
Jason and Daniele
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