The priesthood is confirmed to Aaron by the miracle of the blooming of
his rod, which is kept for a monument in the tabernacle.
17:1. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
17:2. Speak to the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a
rod by their kindreds, of all the princes of the tribes, twelve rods,
and write the name of every man upon his rod.
17:3. And the name of Aaron shall be for the tribe of Levi, and one rod
shall contain all their families:
17:4. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the covenant
before the testimony, where I will speak to thee.
17:5. Whomsoever of these I shall choose, his rod shall blossom: and I
will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel,
wherewith they murmur against you.
17:6. And Moses spoke to the children of Israel: and all the princes
gave him rods one for every tribe: and there were twelve rods besides
the rod of Aaron.
17:7. And when Moses had Laid them up before the Lord in the tabernacle
of the testimony:
17:8. He returned on the following day, and found that the rod of Aaron
for the house of Levi, was budded: and that the buds swelling it had
bloomed blossoms, which spreading the leaves, were formed into almonds.
The rod of Aaron for the house of Levi, was budded, etc.... This rod of
Aaron which thus miraculously brought forth fruit, was a figure of the
blessed Virgin conceiving and bringing forth her Son without any
prejudice to her virginity.
17:9. Moses therefore brought out all the rods from before the Lord to
all the children of Israel: and they saw, and every one received their
rods.
17:10. And the Lord said to Moses: Carry back the rod of Aaron into the
tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be kept there for a token of
the rebellious children of Israel, and that their complaints may cease
from me lest they die.
17:11. And Moses did as the Lord had commanded.
17:12. And the children of Israel said to Moses: Behold we are
consumed, we all perish.
17:13. Whosoever approacheth to the tabernacle of the Lord, he dieth.
Are we all to a man to be utterly destroyed?