Scriptures: Numbers 17 and Jeremiah 1:4-12
Video Link: https://youtu.be/s7j84uA3qy0
Structure:
- Introduction
- Numbers 17 – Priest
- Jeremiah 1 – Prophet
- Conclusion
Introduction:
Good morning everyone.
One of the greatest joys in life is learning something new. One new thing I learned this past week is that walnuts, cashews, pistachios and almonds are not nuts. Technically they are drupes.
A drupe is a kind of fruit with the fleshy part on the outside and the seed inside. The seed, on the inside, is often encased in a hard shell. Other examples of drupes include peaches, plums and cherries. The flesh is on the outside and the seed is on the inside.
It’s a bit confusing because with peaches, plums and cherries we eat the flesh on the outside and throw away the seed in the middle. But with walnuts, cashews, pistachio and almonds we don’t eat the flesh on the outside. We discard the flesh and the shell and eat the seed in the middle.
When you buy walnuts, cashews and almonds in the shop they usually come with the outer fleshy part removed. Sometimes they come in their shell, but more often all we see is the edible seed.
Today we continue our Testimony of Trees series by considering the almond tree, the fruit of which is not a nut but a drupe. There are different kinds of almonds, some bitter, some sweet.
My favourite kind is a variety known as Scorched Almonds. Scorched Almonds are native to New Zealand. Unlike regular almonds, you do eat the chocolatey flesh on the outside as well as the almond seed on the inside. No part of the scorched almond fruit is wasted.
Our message this morning focuses on two readings from the Bible which feature the almond tree. Numbers 17 and Jeremiah 1.
Numbers 17 – Priest:
We begin with Numbers 17, where we pick up the story of Aaron and Moses and the people of Israel in the wilderness. From Numbers chapter 17, verse 1 we read…
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?”
May the Spirit of Jesus illuminate God’s word for us.
Almond trees grow best in a Mediterranean type climate. They prefer warm dry weather. Too much rain and the crop will fail. A few years ago, they tried growing almond trees in the Hawke’s Bay. At that time the Hawke’s Bay had a drought and they found the almond trees did well in the dry weather, better than any other tree.
The name ‘almond’ derives from the ancient Greek word, ‘amygdala’.
For us today, the amygdala refers to that part of the human brain (shaped like an almond) which is associated with memory and emotion, in particular fear. The amygdala triggers the body’s fight or flight response when you feel like you are in danger.
For example, if you have a bad experience around water when you are young, your amygdala stores that memory so that whenever you find yourself in a similar situation, you automatically feel frightened and want to get out as quickly as possible, whether it is dangerous or not.
People in Biblical times would not have understood the structure of the brain in the same way we do today. For them an amygdala was an almond, so we shouldn’t make too much of it, but it’s a curious connection, particularly given the fear reaction of the Israelites in Numbers 17.
In the context of Numbers 17, the people of Israel are in the desert after their exodus from slavery in Egypt and they are not happy. In fact, many of the people are angry with Moses and Aaron.
It was the priests’ job to act as an intermediary between the people and God. Among other things, the priests helped the people deal with their sin so they could be right with God.
But ancient Israel was not a democracy. Ancient Israel was supposed to be a theocracy, which means the priesthood is decided by God, not popular vote.
When Korah and his followers tried to act as priests by burning incense (in Numbers 16) some were swallowed by the ground, some were consumed by fire and others were killed by a plague. Thousands died. It was carnage.
To settle the matter once and for all, the Lord tells Moses to gather up the staffs of the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel, write each man’s name on his staff and leave them in the tent of meeting (aka: the tabernacle).
The tent of meeting was a holy place, like a mini portable temple for God’s presence. God would choose the high priest he wanted by causing that man’s staff to sprout.
Sure enough, the next morning when Moses went to collect the 12 staffs, he saw that Aaron’s staff had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
Normally, it takes about three years before the almond tree is ready to bear fruit and once it is mature enough it takes between 7 and 8 months from when the tree first flowers (in early spring) to when the fruit is ripe (in autumn).
God had made Aaron’s staff (a dead piece of wood) flower and produce almonds in one night. This miracle served as a sign to the people that God had chosen Aaron and his sons to serve as priests for Israel.
We don’t need to try and find a scientific explanation for Aaron’s staff budding. That would miss the point. Better to be filled with a sense of awe and wonder.
The miracle performed by Yahweh shows that God enlivens every stage of life, from flower to fruit, from youth to maturity. Indeed, it is the Lord who makes life fruitful and fulfils its purpose.
More than that, the Lord has power over sin and death. It is God who appoints an intermediary to deal with our sin and it is God who causes dead things to spring to life.
From our vantage point in history, we who believe in Jesus, can see that Aaron’s budding staff points to the resurrection.
You might be wondering, why did Aaron’s staff grow almonds? Why not plums or cherries or apples? Well, if Aaron’s staff was made from almond wood, then that might explain it.
Nevertheless, there is a curious connection between God and the almond tree. When God gave instructions on how the tabernacle should be built, he stipulated in Exodus 25, that the gold cups of the lampstand be shaped like almond flowers, with buds and blossoms. The almond tree, then, is associated with divine light, holy light.
I said before, there are different varieties of almonds, some bitter and some sweet.
Bitter almonds contain a compound that when ingested breaks down into cyanide. Cyanide is poisonous of course.
Sweet almonds (which you get in the supermarket) are safe to eat, but bitter almonds are dangerous and should be avoided. Around 50 bitter almonds could kill an adult, even less would kill a child.
Were the almonds on Aaron’s staff bitter or sweet? We don’t know. But there is something mysterious and potentially dangerous about these almonds. Just as there is something mysterious and potentially dangerous about God.
The young nation of Israel is terrified by the miracle of Aaron’s staff growing almonds overnight. It is a clear sign of God’s holiness, power and sovereignty. The memory of God’s holiness sears itself on the collective amygdala of the nation.
Instinctively, on an unconscious level, we all know that God is holy. Deep down we all know that God is good, but he is not safe.
People living in a Western society today (people like us) tend to struggle with what God did in Numbers 16 and 17. It offends our sensibilities. The society we live in believes in personal freedom.
Freedom is not a bad thing in itself, it’s a good thing. I’m thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in New Zealand (democracy is better than fascism).
But if we put personal freedom on a pedestal and make an idol out of it, then we reject God’s sovereignty and forfeit true freedom.
Any society that sacrifices holiness on the altar of individualism is on a dangerous path. May God deliver us from ourselves.
Jeremiah 1 – Prophet:
Our second reading, featuring the almond tree, comes from the book of Jeremiah chapter 1. In Numbers 17, the Lord makes it clear to everyone that he has chosen Aaron as high priest. In Jeremiah 1, the Lord chooses Jeremiah to be his spokesman, his prophet to Israel and the nations.
From Jeremiah chapter 1, verses 4-12, we read…
4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knewyou, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” 11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. 12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watchingto see that my word is fulfilled.”
May the Spirit of Jesus illuminate God’s word for us.
The famous Renaissance artist, Michelangelo, painted an image of the prophet Jeremiah on the ceiling of the Sistine chapel in Vatican City. In Michelangelo’s fresco, Jeremiah is depicted as deep in thought and anguish as he laments over the destruction of Jerusalem. His face is darkened with grief, his countenance heavy with unwanted responsibility.
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. He was reluctant to accept God’s call on his life. He didn’t want the job and who could blame him. He had the unenviable task of telling the nation that Jerusalem would be destroyed because of the people’s sin. Very few people listened to him. Jeremiah was misunderstood and mistreated, even though he was the real deal.
God’s call is not always attractive or comfortable. Sometimes we are compelled by God, whether we like it or not. We may protest (like Jeremiah) or rebel (like Jonah) but eventually we realise God’s purpose is inevitable and irresistible, like the current of a river or the ocean’s tide, or the pull of gravity.
Some art historians think Michelangelo’s painting of Jeremiah is a self-portrait. It seems Michelangelo identified closely with Jeremiah. Michelangelo was burdened by unwanted responsibility. He did not want to paint the Sistine chapel. He wanted to sculpt, but the Pope gave him little choice.
Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests of Israel. That means Jeremiah was related to Aaron, for only Aaron’s descendants could serve as priests.
Jeremiah’s message was two parts judgement and one part hope. In verse 10 the Lord says to Jeremiah: “See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”
For Jeremiah there will be twice as much uprooting as there will be planting. Uprooting and planting is something one does with trees. This metaphor suggests God’s sovereign activity in restoring order to his creation by his word.
The almond tree features in verses 11 and 12 of chapter 1, where we read:
11 The word of the Lord came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”
“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Sometimes in English you come across words which sound the same and are spelt the same but have different meanings. We call these words homonyms.
Take for example the word bark; depending on the context bark can refer to the skin of a tree (as in tree bark) or it can refer to the noise a dog makes.
Crane is another homonym. A crane can be bird or a piece of machinery used for lifting heavy objects. One might also crane their neck to see over an obstacle. Spelt the same but with a different meaning.
Homonyms are fodder for puns and jokes. And so we get sayings with a double meaning like, “You’re barking up the wrong tree”.
We can’t see it in the English translation but in the original Hebrew there is a play on words with almond and watching. They are not homonyms exactly, but they are very close. In Hebrew, the word for almond and the word for watching come from the same root and are spelled the same except for one letter. [1]
This gives the word almond a double meaning. Essentially, the almond tree is also the watching tree.
It makes perfect sense. One thing that is true of almond trees the world over is they are the first tree to bud and flower in spring. They are like the daffodils of the tree kingdom.
Just as one might watch for the flowers of the almond tree to see when winter is ending and spring is starting, so too God is watching over his word to see that it is fulfilled.
On the one hand this is a word of encouragement to Jeremiah, a reassurance that God will make his word (through Jeremiah) come true. God isn’t going to let Jeremiah down or give him a message that is not fulfilled.
At the same time, God is telling the people of the day that Jeremiah is the one to watch. By paying attention to Jeremiah, the people will know when the long winter of Judah’s idolatry and apostacy are coming to an end and the spiritual renewal of spring is close at hand.
Basically, God’s word through Jeremiah is like flowers blossoming on an almond tree. God’s word will bear fruit in season but not right away. In fact, Jeremiah prophesied for about 40 years before the words God gave him about Jerusalem were fulfilled.
Conclusion:
You may be relieved to know the almond tree passages in Numbers 17 and Jeremiah 1 are not primarily about us. In the Bible, the almond tree is a sign of what God is doing in Israel. They also point to Christ.
The almond tree is associated with God’s selection of Aaron to be the high priest of Israel. Jesus is the high priest chosen by God to be our intermediary. Faith in Jesus makes us right with God. Don’t be like Korah who rejected God’s sovereignty. Choose life.
The almond tree is associated with the lamp stand in the Tabernacle, God’s holy place. Jesus is the light of the world; the holy one who reveals God’s glory. The light of Jesus casts out darkness and fear. The light of God’s love for us in Christ illuminates the way of humility and respect. Walk in the light.
The almond tree is associated with the fulfilment of God’s word through the prophet Jeremiah. Jesus is the word of God in human form; Jesus (the Christ) fulfils the law and the prophets. If you want to understand God’s word, then trust and obey Jesus.
The almond tree is associated with spring and new life. Jesus is the first sign of the resurrection to come. Those who embrace Christ, even though they suffer for it, will be raised to eternal life. Build your hope on the firm foundation of Jesus’ resurrection.
The almond tree is a sign pointing to the beauty, the mystery and the holiness of God’s presence among us. With this in view our response needs to be that of wonder, awe and praise. May the word of the Lord blossom in your life. Amen.
Questions for discussion or reflection:
- What stands out for you in reading this Scripture and/or in listening to the sermon? Why do you think this stood out to you?
- What are some of the characteristics of the almond tree and its fruit?
- What is the almond tree associated with in Numbers 17?
- What did the budding of Aaron’s staff signify? Why did the people of Israel react with fear? What do we mean when we say God is holy? How does God’s holiness affect you?
- What is the almond tree associated with Jeremiah 1?
- In what ways is does the almond tree point to Jesus?
- Discuss / reflect on the meaning of Jeremiah 1:11-12.
[1] Refer Derek Kidner’s commentary on Jeremiah, page 27.
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