Numbers 17:10-11

The one for Joseph was handed to the prince of the tribe of either Ephraim or Manasseh. The one for Benjamin was handed to the prince of that tribe, and I am sure that those men took those rods and went to their camp and showed the people what had happened. Except for Aaron's, nothing happened, because only Aaron's blossomed. Aaron's rod did more than God said. In verse 5 He said that the rod would blossom. It not only blossomed overnight, it produced almonds overnight. So He went above and beyond what He said He was going to do.

Now there is something very interesting here. It is another one of those question marks. He said that it is a testimony against Israel, that they grumble not. Now wait a minute! Those people in that generation saw that rod, but what about every generation after that? I can guarantee you virtually that they did not see it. They never saw it again. Why? Because of where it was placed. Who could possibly see it in the Holy Place? Who of any importance could see it in the Holy Place?

Now if it was in the Holy Place, the priests, in carrying out their responsibilities, would see it. The indication though in the New Testament is that it was in with the Ark. Where was the Ark? It was in the Holy of Holies. It was in there with the Ark, the manna, and the Ten Commandments. Aaron's rod was placed on a level with those three things.

The only one really who could ever see it, let us say on a regular basis, would be who? Who would be the only human who would be able to see it? Only the high priest. Once a year on the Day of Atonement it would be a reminder to him that he was appointed personally by God to bear this responsibility. But there is somebody else who could also see it: God.

I think that we can say, if we can understand that God would have any kind of a failing (and you know what I mean here), that rod served as a reminder to Him of His mercy to the family of Aaron and to the Israelites as well. So the only ones who could see it were God and the high priest. But I am sure that it was the high priest's responsibility to keep reminding the people, generation after generation, after the Day of Atonement, that the rod was still there.