1 Clement 43

1And what is remarkable if those entrusted in Messiah by God with such a work appointed the aforementioned persons?

2For there also the blessed and faithful servant Moses, in all his house, recorded in the sacred books all the things commanded to him, and the rest of the prophets also followed him, bearing witness together to the ordinances enacted by him.

3For when jealousy arose concerning the priesthood and the tribes were engaged in factional strife over which of them was adorned with the glorious name, he ordered the twelve tribal leaders to bring him staffs, each inscribed according to the name of its tribe. And taking them, he bound them and sealed them with the rings of the tribal leaders, and placed them in the tent of witness upon the table of God.

4And after shutting the tent, he sealed the staffs in the same way, and said to them, “Brothers, the tribe whose staff shall sprout—this one God has chosen to serve as priest and to minister to him.”

5Then when morning came, he called together all Israel, the six hundred thousand men, and showed the seals to the tribal leaders; and he opened the tent of witness and brought out the staffs. And the staff of Aaron was found not only to have sprouted, but even to be bearing fruit.

6What do you think, beloved? Did not Moses know beforehand that this was going to happen? Certainly he knew. But so that there might not be disorder in Israel, he acted in this way, so that the name of the true and only God might be glorified—to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.