Article February 18, 1933 Issue

The Way of His Appointing

ELMA S. WHITMORE

In the filling of various positions in government, business, and other organizations, responsibility may rest upon individuals through the ballot or executive appointment. How shall wise selections be made? This is often a perplexing problem unless the scientific and impersonal method for solving it is followed. An instance of this is set forth in the seventeenth chapter of Numbers.

Moses became the leader of the children of Israel because he was the meekest of men; but as he was slow of speech, Aaron was selected by God to speak for Moses. Each had distinguishing qualities, and these qualities were essential and invaluable at certain stages for the successful progress of the Israelites out of servitude to Egyptian taskmasters. Neither could have done the work of the other, nor would either have been fitted for his individual position had these necessary qualities been overshadowed by self-seeking or rivalry; for such false qualities are always destructive of progress. This is illustrated in the experience of the children of Israel. An intruding suggestion of jealousy and ambition for higher position caused certain of them to protest against Moses and Aaron being their leaders, and brought forth an accusation that these leaders had lifted themselves up among their brothers to rule over them. Destruction came upon these rebellious children, and to quiet the discontent thus aroused among their sympathizers Moses turned their attention from leadership and position to orderly selection according to divine decree.

He directed that a rod engraven with the name of the prince of each tribe in Israel be laid within the tabernacle. Aaron's name was to be written on the rod representing the tribe of Levi and laid with the other rods, that God might indicate His choice by causing one of these rods to blossom. This was done, and the following day it was found that Aaron's rod had "budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds." Only one rod had blossomed and evidenced fruition, indicating that Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, was the one right person fitted to fulfill the office of high priest.

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