John Calvin Commentary Numbers 17:4

"And thou shalt lay them up in the tent of meeting before the testimony, where I meet with you." — Numbers 17:4 (ASV)

And you shall lay them up in the tabernacle. The place itself played a significant role in the conclusive decision of the matter, because it clearly showed that God was the author of the miracle, and therefore that the priesthood came from Him. For we have said elsewhere that the whole government of the Church so entirely depends on His decree, that people are not permitted to interfere with it.

Therefore, He set the ark of the covenant against the voices of the whole people, to testify that no further dispute should be raised concerning the priest, whom He had appointed by His own declaration and authority.

At the same time, this had the effect of consoling the people and silencing their complaints that the rods of all the tribes were brought together into the sanctuary before God. For, although a special dignity was given to Aaron's rod alone, the people still continued to be a priestly kingdom.

Therefore, it follows that the honorable privilege given to one family contributed to the public welfare of all; indeed, it was far from true that their inferiority ought to have caused them pain or envy.