Aaron was the firstborn son of Amram and his wife/aunt Jochebed, who
were Levites (Exodus 2:1; 6:20). He was born
during Israel's time in Egypt, 83 years before the Exodus, 3 years before his
brother Moses, and about 10 years after his sister Miriam (Exodus 2:1,4; 6:20; 7:7).
Aaron married Elisheba, a daughter of
Amminadab, who was of the tribe of Judah (Exodus 6:23; 1 Chronicles 2:10). They
had 4 sons - Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
When the time of the Exodus came, God sent
Aaron (Exodus 4:14, 27-30) out to meet the returning Moses (who had just spent
40 years out in the Sinai with Jethro), to join with him in their
assigned task. Aaron was to be the spokesman for Moses, who was unable to speak
well, perhaps from stuttering (Exodus 6:30; 7:1-2,9-10,19). Although Moses was
the leader, it was Aaron who did the actual speaking to Pharaoh through the events leading to the
Exodus, and the crossing of the Red Sea.
Aaron stepped up as
a strengthening partner throughout the ordeal, then later led the people in
formalized worship of God in the wilderness.
Aaron was a faultless servant with his
brother, at least at first. At Rephidim, when Moses overlooked the battle with
the Amalekites from a nearby hill with the rod of God in his outstretched hand,
it was Aaron and Hur (his brother-in-law, Miriam's husband), who held up Moses'
tired arms until Israel's forces under Joshua won the battle (Exodus 17:8-13).
Aaron's greatest lapse in judgment
occurred while Moses was away on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments from God. For whatever
reason, Aaron gave in to the people's demands, and made that now-infamous
golden calf for the people to worship (Exodus 32:4). When Moses returned, Aaron
was sternly rebuked, but was forgiven by God after Moses prayed for him. Aaron
came very close to being killed for that incident (Deuteronomy 9:20)
Aaron was appointed directly by God to
be the first high priest. He and his sons were consecrated to continue the
priesthood through time (Leviticus 8 and 9).
Aaron again displayed a failure in good
judgment at Hazeroth when he and Miriam spoke out against Moses for marrying a
Cushite (Ethiopian) woman. Once again, The Lord vindicated Moses, and punished
Miriam, who had led the minor rebellion, with leprosy (Numbers 12:1-16). After
Aaron acknowledged his and Miriam's error, at the intercession of Moses they
were forgiven by God.
Aaron's career seemed to blow hot and
cold. He certainly had his low points (i.e. the golden calf), but overall he
remained a steadfast ally of his brother. During the Korah rebellion, Aaron
stood courageously with Moses (Numbers 16:1-50). Not long after that, the
miraculous sprouting of his staff was used to demonstrate that he was indeed
the high priest to those who were questioning his authority (Numbers 17:1-13).
That staff was afterwards preserved in the Tabernacle (Hebrews 9:4)
Neither Moses nor Aaron were permitted
to enter the Promised Land (See Heartbreak Mountain). Aaron was involved
in the water-from-the-rock incident at Meribah (Numbers 20:8-13), and for that
presumptuous disobedience to God's instructions both were not permitted to
enter the Promised Land (Numbers 20:24).
Aaron died at Mount Hor after his
priestly authority was transferred to his son Eleazar. He was 123 years old
(Numbers 20:23-29, Deuteronomy 10:6, 32:50). The people mourned his passing for
30 days
Accomplishments
of Aaron:
Aaron began
Israel's first formal line of priests, was first to wear the priestly garments
and started the sacrificial system. He helped Moses defeat Pharaoh. With Hur,
he supported Moses' arms at Rephidim so the Israelites could defeat the
Amalekites. When Israel had finished its wandering, Aaron went up Mount Sinai
with Moses and 70 elders to worship God.
Aaron was loyal to Moses, an eloquent interpreter, and a conscientious
priest.
Aaron's Weaknesses:
When Moses did not come down from Mount Sinai, Aaron helped the Israelites
craft a golden calf and worshiped it with them. Aaron did not set a good
example for his sons and did not instruct them in absolute obedience to the Lord,
resulting in his sons Nadab and Abihu offering "unauthorized fire"
before God, who struck both men dead.
Aaron joined Miriam
in criticizing Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman. Aaron also shared in Moses'
disobedience to God at Meribah, when the people demanded water, and thus was
forbidden to enter the promised land.
Life Lessons:
We all have strengths and weaknesses, but the wise person asks God to
reveal both. We tend to be proud of our strengths while ignoring our
weaknesses. That gets us into trouble, as it did Aaron.
Whether we are
operating in one of our talents or struggling under our shortcomings, we do
well to keep our focus on God for guidance. Aaron's life shows us we don't have
to be the leader to play an important role.
