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Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod. (Numbers 17:2)

Aaron's rod. At that time, God gave us an illustration of the sovereignty of God in the selection of the members of the royal priesthood.

Twelve rods were placed before the Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy Place of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron's name was written on the rod of the Tribe of Levi.

The next day, the dead wood of Levi had produced buds, blossoms, and almonds (life, beauty, and fruit).

So it is true that every member of the royal priesthood, of which the Lord Jesus Christ is the Head, is chosen by the Lord God; is brought down to death to self-will; and then is lifted up to life, beauty, and fruitfulness by the power of eternal, incorruptible resurrection life.

And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. (Hebrews 5:4)

The mountains of Bashan leap in vain. God has chosen Zion and every member of Zion.

And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. (Psalms 87:5)

'''Absalom'''

Absalom was the son of King David by Maacah, the daughter of the king of Geshur. He was a handsome man, distinguished by the luxuriance of his hair, physically unblemished.

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. (II Samuel 14:25)

Bashan represents that which is marvelous in the flesh.

Absalom spent his time in the gates of Jerusalem to political advantage while his father, David, sought and performed God's will in governing Israel.

And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! (II Samuel 15:2-4)

Soon Absalom had captured the hearts of the men of Israel and rebelled against David, seeking the throne of Israel for himself.

David was forced to flee for his life.

Not too long afterward, Absalom, evidently a large and heavy man, became caught in the branches of a tree and was unable to extricate himself. He hung between heaven and earth until Joab and his armor bearers killed him. Then Absalom's body was thrown into a large pit and rocks were piled over him. This always is the end of Bashan.


[[The Mountains of Bashan 9]]