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[63]
Now Moses, upon his hearing for a good while that the people were
tumultuous, was afraid that they would attempt some other innovation, and
that some great and sad calamity would be the consequence. He called the
multitude to a congregation, and patiently heard what apology they had
to make for themselves, without opposing them, and this lest he should
imbitter the multitude: he only desired the heads of the tribes to bring
their rods, 1
with the names of their tribes inscribed upon them, and that he should
receive the priesthood in whose rod God should give a sign. This was agreed
to. So the rest brought their rods, as did Aaron also, who had written
the tribe of Levi on his rod. These rods Moses laid up in the tabernacle
of God. On the next day he brought out the rods, which were known from
one another by those who brought them, they having distinctly noted them,
as had the multitude also; and as to the rest, in the same form Moses had
received them, in that they saw them still; but they also saw buds and
branches grown out of Aaron's rod, with ripe fruits upon them; they were
almonds, the rod having been cut out of that tree. The people were so amazed
at this strange sight, that though Moses and Aaron were before under some
degree of hatred, they now laid that hatred aside, and began to admire
the judgment of God concerning them; so that hereafter they applauded what
God had decreed, and permitted Aaron to enjoy the priesthood peaceably.
And thus God ordained him priest three several times, and he retained that
honor without further disturbance. And hereby this sedition of the Hebrews,
which had been a great one, and had lasted a great while, was at last composed.
1 Concerning these twelve rods of the twelve tribes of Israel, see St. Clement's account, much larger than that in our Bibles, 1 Epist. sect. 45; as is Josephus's present account in measure larger also.
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