The Rod Of Reconciliation

Num 17:7 ASV - And Moses laid up the rods before Jehovah in the tent of the testimony.
Num 17:8 ASV - And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and put forth buds, and produced blossoms, and bare ripe almonds.
Num 17:9 ASV - And Moses brought out all the rods from before Jehovah unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.

Lesson of the Almond tree

It is amazing to see beautiful almond trees blossoming all over Israel every winter. They are the first tree to blossom and yet the last to bear fruit.

The almond tree is associated with one of the earliest prophecies of a young Jeremiah. “Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a branch of an almond tree.’ Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have seen well, for I am watching to perform My word.’” (Jeremiah 1:11-12)

This prophecy uses a play on words that carries a vital truth for Israel as well as for us. The Hebrew word for almond, shaked, is also translated “to watch”. By seeing the almond branch, God assured Jeremiah that He is watching over His word to bring it to pass, no matter the passage of time.

In context, God had just given Israel a warning. “I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9-10)  Then after Jeremiah sees the almond tree, God shows him a boiling pot over Jerusalem which portends “calamity”. (Jeremiah 1:13-14)  While the almond is a sign of hope that God will eventually fulfill His wonderful promises to Israel (or to us), the context is more ominous.

Later, God repeated the warning through Jeremiah: “Behold, I will watch (shaked) over them for evil, and not for good…” (Jeremiah 44:27). God’s message to Israel was that sin has consequences and there will come a time of reckoning – namely the destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of Israel.

Years later, Daniel would pray: “Therefore has the Lord watched (shaked) upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the Lord our God is righteous in all His works which He does: for we obeyed not His voice.” (Daniel 9:14)

The lesson of the almond tree, therefore, is that God in heaven watches a sinful nation walking away from Him and declares it will have consequences. His message to humanity today is still the same: God is watching! He will watch over His word either for curse or for blessing. When sin and immorality engulf nations and even penetrate the Church, we should remember: God is watching! When nations assail Israel and seek to divide her land, we can be sure: God is watching!

Still, the message of the “almond” does carry a strong encouragement. Jeremiah also foresees a miraculous restoration for Israel. “And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them, to destroy, and to afflict… so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:28)

If we decide to consecrate our lives to God, then He promises to watch over us for good. Even with our weaknesses and frailties, His eyes are always upon us!

Some may say this word was for the rebellious house of Israel its the old testament we live in the new testament .    Jesus said he came not to do away with the Law but to fulfill the Law . Your savior is the fulfilling of the old Law and in him we are free from the Law of sin and death.   Jesus is the mercy and the grace that we live under not the Law . The word says the law was weak through the flesh ,     Rom 8:3 ASV - For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4 ASV - that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.             If you see Gods word in the letter only than the life in his word has no effect on your soul.  Jesus was that word made flesh the old testament was an example unto us to understand the consequences of being rebellious to Gods commands.  Jesus said he was with the father before the dust was place upon the face of the earth .  All of the bible points to Jesus and his blood sacrifice.     Rom 7:6 ASV - But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that wherein we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter.

1Co 10:11 ASV - Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
1Co 10:12 ASV - Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Jhn 5:43 ASV - I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.    The word name   Greek: onoma     for all that a "name" implies, of authority, character, rank, majesty, power, excellence, etc., of everything that the "name" covers:   Jesus was the rod of Aaron he was the rod that budded and brought forth blossoms and the fruit of the almond . The first and the last the Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end .  He was that rock that followed the children through the desert .

Mar 16:17 ASV - And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;   Its not just the name of Jesus its all that his name implies .  The power and the character the complete  authority of who Jesus is and he gives us that grace to us who believe , the authority and power to manifest those signs, Jesus said greater works shall you do in my name . 

1Co 10:1 ASV - For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;   They were spiritually born again in the crossing of the red sea ,  and it is fitting the sea they crossed would be Red a type and shadow of his blood. The cloud being the spirit of God
1Co 10:2 ASV - and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
         Moses being a type of Jesus
1Co 10:3 ASV - and did all eat the same spiritual food;   Jesus said he was the manna  that came down from the father
1Co 10:16 ASV - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17 ASV - seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.
 Jhn 6:49 ASV - Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
Jhn 6:50 ASV - This is the bread which cometh down out of heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
Jhn 6:51 ASV - I am the living bread which came down out of heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: yea and the bread which I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world.

1Co 10:4 ASV - and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.
Jhn 6:55 ASV - For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.   His flesh being the word of God and his blood being the nature and character of God himself.  He came to show us the father .
Jhn 14:8 ASV - Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Jhn 14:9 ASV - Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; how sayest thou, Show us the Father?
Jhn 14:10 ASV - Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.
Have I been so long time with you, and dost thou not know me, Philip? the words that I say unto you I speak not from myself: but the Father abiding in me doeth his works.   For God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself.
2Co 5:19 ASV - to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
If you are born again as Jesus told Nicodemus of the water and the spirit , than you must ask God to fill you with his spirit .  Asking with an honest heart a broken contrite heart God will not despise.  Being born again is a walk unto righteousness ,  The water is the word of God that brings separation of your soul from the world and into his kingdom ,  the spirit is the power to overcome in this world. The promise Jesus spoke of Gods salvation in no other name, is a life's walk and enduring unto the end .
Rom 8:9 ASV - But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.   The same Holy Ghost that fell in Acts 2 is the beginning of this promise from the father for the equipping of  the saints his called out ones with his authority his understanding his power unto sanctification unto holiness.


Ecc 12:7 ASV - and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.    And God created man in his own image that Image was not the body we have now , that image was his very being his power and strength his life was in his breath and the breath is his spirit , The ZOE of God ,  Adam and Eve were created perfect ,they were a perfection of God made absolutely complete in every way.  But sin came and with that the fall of man.    
Rom 5:14 ASV - Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a figure of him that was to come.
1Co 15:22 ASV - For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:45 ASV - So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.   Jesus has come to restore back to the father what the first Adam lost.
To be reconciled to something you must first have been a part of that experience to be reconciled back to it . A separation took place between God and man through sin and rebellion unto Gods commands. 
Rom 5:11 ASV - and not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
2Co 5:18 ASV - But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 ASV - to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
When Jesus rose from the dead on the third day he brought you and I with him to life everlasting.

Having Done All To Stand

For thoses of us who have our Armour on and stand in faith with the power of Gods spirit and the power of his word .

Eph 6:10 ASV - Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Eph 6:11 ASV - Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 ASV - For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 ASV - Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 ASV - Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph 6:15 ASV - and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 ASV - withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
Eph 6:17 ASV - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 ASV - with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,


I would like to start with the armor mention here is frontal only,  no rear protection God is your rear guard ,  so what are we to think about this .  Jesus said faith is the power to save.   Faith in who or what, in his word in the power of his word .     Jer 1:12 ASV - Then said Jehovah unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I watch over my word to perform it.    Jesus said speak unto this mountain and it will be cast into the sea.  A truth here he was not speaking in the physical he was speaking in the Spirit , every hindrance every obstacle in our lives if we allow them to linger they will become mountains in our walk . He is speaking of spiritual warfare here and power over the enemy.   Luk 10:18 ASV - And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightning from heaven.    It is over and finished he has been cast down , Satan only has the power we give him,  we allow terrible things to come upon us because of sin not confessed and repented of brings the curse .
Disobedience to this word and failure to walk in it brings destruction .  
Jas 1:13 ASV - Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man:
Jas 1:14 ASV - but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 ASV - Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 ASV - Be not deceived, my beloved brethren.
Jesus said the curse was not done away with but fulfilled through his blood. He came not to do away with the Law but to fulfill the Law . And what is the fulfilling of the Law to us ,   Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified) .
Prov 26-2  Like the sparrow in her wandering, like the swallow in her flying, so the causeless curse does not alight.    Sin in your life unrepentant will bring the curse .  What curse are we talking about

   Deut 28  If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.    In this chapter is the curses and the blessings of all nations and nations are people of all walksin the earth.  Now according the Law if you broke one of these Laws you were guilty of all the Law .   Thank you Jesus      Gal 3:12 ASV - and the law is not of faith; but, He that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 ASV - Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal 3:14 ASV - that upon the Gentiles might come the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
There is so much to say here so I will get to the high points ,  Jas 1:15 ASV - Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.
Because we walk in the flesh we are subject to the tempting of satan ,  Jesus himself suffer powerful temptation bur he over came it by Gods word , He said it is written satan and something to note here is the fact Jesus was at the most weakest point of his life he had fasted forty days with out food and water, and than satan comes to tempt him. So it is with us satan waits until a weak moment in your life and than he hammers you with all sorts of temptations .  If we let our armour down we allow satan to work on our spirit . Jas 1:14 ASV - but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.    Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man .

1Pe 1:15 ASV - but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;
1Pe 1:16 ASV - because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 ASV - And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:
1Pe 1:18 ASV - knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 ASV - but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:

So why has all this come why does God allow this to come upon his people   There are many answers but God made man in his Image to serve him and worship him . And what is the image of God , seeing this is in the Spirit and not the letter ,Gods image is not Hair and bone and flesh it is his very life the Zoe of God in us.  When the spirit leaves the body the flesh dies .  Your body is a vehicle to transport you from one place to another he breathed his life in Adam and Adam became a living soul. Paul called it a tent to cover our spirit .  Adam and Eve were perfectly made and they were the Image of super powerful blessings from God.  Gods image is his very charterer his nature and his authority ,  God has given us every spiritual blessing 

Jesus said he came in his fathers name not in flesh but spirit but being born of the flesh of man to fullfill the promises of God .  The truth here is God gives you a freedom to choose, to serve him . He wants you to love him with your Heart , with the heart man beliefs unto God . Its all about your heart out of the heart comes the issues of LIFE !   So we see our flesh is weak our carnal man is corrupt and will fall .
God has given us the remedy to win this battle Jesus Christ the power of the Holy Ghost is our strength with out the Spirit of God no man shall see God . The word says we are SEALED by the recieving of his Spirit for the day of redemption .   Jesus said unless you are born again you cannot entre the kingdom of God . Born of the spirit and of the water the Holy Ghost and the water being the washing of this water of Gods word the word of God .  Jhn 6:27 ASV - Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
2Co 1:22 ASV - who also sealed us, and gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Its not sacrifice God wants from us its obedience complete surrender.  To love the Lord God with all your HEART .  Your heart is your mind , will and emotion surrendering all to God .

Eph 1:3 ASV - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:  God has given us every spiritual blessing to over come this walk with him.
Eph 1:9 ASV - making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him.   mystery of his will he wants to show you his will for you ,
Eph 1:10 ASV - unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say,
Eph 1:11 ASV - in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;
Eph 1:12 ASV - to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
Eph 1:13 ASV - in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,  You must be filled with Gods Holy Spirit  it is the promise Jesus spoke of.   Jhn 16:7 ASV - Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I go, I will send him unto you.
Eph 1:14 ASV - which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

 ^{Eph 1:13- 14}  In Him you also who have heard the Word of Truth, the glad tidings (Gospel) of your salvation, and have believed in and adhered to and relied on Him, were stamped with the seal of the long-promised Holy Spirit.

  That [Spirit] is the guarantee of our inheritance [the firstfruits, the pledge and foretaste, the down payment on our heritage], in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring [complete] possession of it—to the praise of His glory.

Eph 1:9 ASV - making known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him
Eph 1:10 ASV - unto a dispensation of the fulness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in him, I say,
Eph 1:11 ASV - in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will;
Eph 1:12 ASV - to the end that we should be unto the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:
Eph 1:13 ASV - in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,-- in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 ASV - which is an earnest of our inheritance, unto the redemption of God's own possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Heb 2:18 ASV - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

Heb 4:15 ASV - For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 2:18 ASV - For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Luk 10:19 ASV - Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.   Satan has been thrown down from his place of authority in Gods realm to wait until the time appointed for his destruction.   Jesus just told us he has already been defeated .   And now God is using the demon forces to met out his judgements upon the wicked .  Our God is Love and mercy he is full of light with no shadow in his turning .
1Jo 1:5 ASV - And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jo 1:6 ASV - If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jo 1:7 ASV - but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jo 1:8 ASV - If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jo 1:9 ASV - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Jhn 1:12 ASV - But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jhn 1:13 ASV - who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
2Co 5:17 ASV - Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
Jhn 1:12 ASV - But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jhn 1:13 ASV - who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  We lose our identity to the carnal man  and become born again Children of God

2Co 5:17 ASV - Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.