So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a stick, one for each tribe, twelve in all, and Aaron's stick was put with them.
“Hold in your hand the two sticks and let the people see them.
They complained against Moses and Aaron, and said, “It would have been better to die in Egypt or even here in the wilderness!
Do not rebel against the Lord and don't be afraid of the people who live there. We will conquer them easily. The Lord is with us and has defeated the gods who protected them; so don't be afraid.”
Then the stick of the man I have chosen will sprout. In this way I will put a stop to the constant complaining of these Israelites against you.”
Moses then put all the sticks in the Tent in front of the Lord's Covenant Box.