Aaron

Aaron: Facts about the man His family Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar - Sons Elisheba (Ex. 6:23) - Wife Moses (Ex. 7:7) - Younger brother Miriam - Older sister Egypt, into slavery - Born in Levi (Ex. 6:19-20) - Of the tribe of Amram & Jochebed - Parents

Aaron: Facts about the man His family His character –A good man, devout & religious –A great supporter and helper of his brother, Moses –Yet, very weak, timid and easily led astray when separated from Moses –He must have been truly penitent for his many failures, since God let him continue to serve and later honored his name (cf. Psa. 106:16). His family His character –A good man, devout & religious –A great supporter and helper of his brother, Moses –Yet, very weak, timid and easily led astray when separated from Moses –He must have been truly penitent for his many failures, since God let him continue to serve and later honored his name (cf. Psa. 106:16).

Aaron: Facts about the man His family His character His work –First 83 years – slave in Egypt –Along with Moses, effected the release of the Hebrew nation from Egyptian domination –For last 40 years of his life, served as high priest of God’s people – he was the founding high priest who helped to organize and implement a religious system that stood intact for 1,500 years (and survives to this day). His family His character His work –First 83 years – slave in Egypt –Along with Moses, effected the release of the Hebrew nation from Egyptian domination –For last 40 years of his life, served as high priest of God’s people – he was the founding high priest who helped to organize and implement a religious system that stood intact for 1,500 years (and survives to this day).

Aaron: Facts about the man His family His character His work His death –Died at 123 years old (Num. 33:39, ~ 1400 BC) –Died on Mt. Hor (Num. 20:22-28, south of Canaan near Edom) –His son, Eleazar took his place (Num. 20:25-28) –The nation mourned his death for 30 days (Num. 20:29) His family His character His work His death –Died at 123 years old (Num. 33:39, ~ 1400 BC) –Died on Mt. Hor (Num. 20:22-28, south of Canaan near Edom) –His son, Eleazar took his place (Num. 20:25-28) –The nation mourned his death for 30 days (Num. 20:29)

Aaron: His failures Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) –Aaron & Hur in charge (Ex. 24:13-14) –Moses on mountain for 40 days (Ex. 24:18) –People gathered together & demanded Aaron make them a god to lead them (Ex. 32:1) –Aaron capitulated – called for the gold & made a molded calf (Ex. 32:2-4) –Aaron made feeble attempt to maintain Jehovah worship but turned into heathen orgy (Ex. 32:5-6) –When confronted by Moses, Aaron blamed the people & pretended the molded calf just happened (Ex. 32:21-24) –Unrestrained, they became derision to enemies (v. 25) –The intercession of Moses spared the nation & Aaron Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) –Aaron & Hur in charge (Ex. 24:13-14) –Moses on mountain for 40 days (Ex. 24:18) –People gathered together & demanded Aaron make them a god to lead them (Ex. 32:1) –Aaron capitulated – called for the gold & made a molded calf (Ex. 32:2-4) –Aaron made feeble attempt to maintain Jehovah worship but turned into heathen orgy (Ex. 32:5-6) –When confronted by Moses, Aaron blamed the people & pretended the molded calf just happened (Ex. 32:21-24) –Unrestrained, they became derision to enemies (v. 25) –The intercession of Moses spared the nation & Aaron

Aaron: His failures Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) Criticism over an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1-15) –Miriam & Aaron complained about Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian/Cushite woman (Num. 12:1) –Actually, this was but a façade – their real complaint was that Moses was given the major role of leadership in the new nation and they were not (Num. 12:2-8) –For their act of jealousy, Miriam was smitten with leprosy (Num. 12:9-10) –Seeing the hand of God’s judgment, Aaron confessed their sin (Num. 12:11) –It appears from the context that Aaron may have allowed Miriam to lead him into this situation. Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) Criticism over an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1-15) –Miriam & Aaron complained about Moses’ marriage to an Ethiopian/Cushite woman (Num. 12:1) –Actually, this was but a façade – their real complaint was that Moses was given the major role of leadership in the new nation and they were not (Num. 12:2-8) –For their act of jealousy, Miriam was smitten with leprosy (Num. 12:9-10) –Seeing the hand of God’s judgment, Aaron confessed their sin (Num. 12:11) –It appears from the context that Aaron may have allowed Miriam to lead him into this situation.

Aaron: His failures Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) Criticism over an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1-15) Disobedience at Meribah (Num. 20:1-13) –The Hebrews were near the end of their 40 years of wandering –The people grew panicky about a shortage of water & vented their frustration upon Moses & Aaron (20:2-5) –Being provoked & angered at the people, Moses & Aaron disobeyed God’s instructions by smiting the rock and took the glory to themselves (Num. 20:10-11) –This rash action cost them both their privilege to entering the Promised Land (Num. 20:12, 24) Making of the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-35) Criticism over an Ethiopian woman (Num. 12:1-15) Disobedience at Meribah (Num. 20:1-13) –The Hebrews were near the end of their 40 years of wandering –The people grew panicky about a shortage of water & vented their frustration upon Moses & Aaron (20:2-5) –Being provoked & angered at the people, Moses & Aaron disobeyed God’s instructions by smiting the rock and took the glory to themselves (Num. 20:10-11) –This rash action cost them both their privilege to entering the Promised Land (Num. 20:12, 24)

Aaron: His contributions He supplemented Moses’ leadership with his oratory skills (Ex. 4:10-16). He stood side-by-side with Moses facing the hostile Pharaoh and wielded the rod of judgment upon the oppressors (Ex. 7:10-13). Along with Hur, he held up Moses’ hands in the day of battle against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-13). He assisted Moses in providing leadership for the infant nation (Ex. 24:14). When the Hebrews rebelled against Moses, he stood loyally with Moses (Num. 16:3). As the high priest, he provided leadership for the religious life of the nation, while Moses led in civil matters (Ex. 28:1). He supplemented Moses’ leadership with his oratory skills (Ex. 4:10-16). He stood side-by-side with Moses facing the hostile Pharaoh and wielded the rod of judgment upon the oppressors (Ex. 7:10-13). Along with Hur, he held up Moses’ hands in the day of battle against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-13). He assisted Moses in providing leadership for the infant nation (Ex. 24:14). When the Hebrews rebelled against Moses, he stood loyally with Moses (Num. 16:3). As the high priest, he provided leadership for the religious life of the nation, while Moses led in civil matters (Ex. 28:1).

Aaron: Lessons to Remember Middle children are always neglected. Just because someone else (like a brother) outshines you does not mean you’re worthless (ex. Peter’s brother, Andrew; John’s brother, James). Being in the spotlight is not necessary. The importance and value of the work of a loyal assistant is seen in life of Aaron. Moses could not have succeeded without Aaron’s help. Having great oratorical powers alone cannot help a man to stand in the face of great temptations. High office does not protect a man from the failures of weak character. Middle children are always neglected. Just because someone else (like a brother) outshines you does not mean you’re worthless (ex. Peter’s brother, Andrew; John’s brother, James). Being in the spotlight is not necessary. The importance and value of the work of a loyal assistant is seen in life of Aaron. Moses could not have succeeded without Aaron’s help. Having great oratorical powers alone cannot help a man to stand in the face of great temptations. High office does not protect a man from the failures of weak character.

Aaron: Lessons to Remember As he sought to lead the people in God’s ways, surely Aaron must have remembered with shame his awful failures of the past. The awareness of his own weakness and sin enabled Aaron to be an understanding and sympathetic high priest (cf. Heb. 2:17-18). We should not judge Aaron’s weakness too harshly. His years in slavery would have definitely contributed to it. For 83 years, he had not had to think or act for himself. As he sought to lead the people in God’s ways, surely Aaron must have remembered with shame his awful failures of the past. The awareness of his own weakness and sin enabled Aaron to be an understanding and sympathetic high priest (cf. Heb. 2:17-18). We should not judge Aaron’s weakness too harshly. His years in slavery would have definitely contributed to it. For 83 years, he had not had to think or act for himself.

Aaron: Lessons to Remember In spite of Aaron’s weakness and failure, God was able to use him to heaven’s glory. His grace provided what Aaron lacked. Likewise, God can use us despite our imperfections (2 Cor. 12:9). Let us be thankful we have a high priest far superior to Aaron – Jesus, the Son of God (Heb. 7:11-28; 2:17-18; 4:15). Let us pray that God will make us strong to resist temptation (1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9). In spite of Aaron’s weakness and failure, God was able to use him to heaven’s glory. His grace provided what Aaron lacked. Likewise, God can use us despite our imperfections (2 Cor. 12:9). Let us be thankful we have a high priest far superior to Aaron – Jesus, the Son of God (Heb. 7:11-28; 2:17-18; 4:15). Let us pray that God will make us strong to resist temptation (1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Pet. 5:8-9).