Definition: And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Numbers 17:7. It’s a really important story about God’s plan for a special meeting. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God was setting aside a special amount of food and supplies for an important religious gathering. Let’s unpack it a little further: “Numbers 17” : This refers to a significant event that happened during the time of Moses. “laid up the rods…” : "Rods" are like long, thin sticks – think of them as measuring tools. God was putting lots of these sticks together. “…before the LORD…” : This means God was setting them up in a special place – the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was a temporary house for God to dwell and interact with his people. “in the tabernacle of witness” : This is where it gets really important. The Tabernacle wasn’t just a building; it was a special place designed for worship and communion with God. "Witness" means to be watched and observed – God wanted to show his people that he was present and involved in their lives. So, what's the point? It shows that God needed to have a secure and prepared space to communicate with his people, and He chose a place of worship (the Tabernacle) to do that. In short, this verse tells us that God was planning a big event – a meeting with his people – and he put a lot of supplies there so he could be close by. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the significance of the Tabernacle itself?