Aaron
Aaron was the brother of Moses. Little is known about his early life, except that his parents were Amram and Jochebed. He married a woman named Elisheba and had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. When God called Moses to lead the Hebrew people out of Egypt, Moses complained that he was, "slow of speech and of tongue." So God designated Aaron as Moses' official spokesman. He also performed miracles as signs for the release of the Hebrews. His rod turned into a snake that swallowed up the snakes of the Egyptian sorcerers. Aaron also caused frogs, blood, and lice to afflict the land by stretching out his rod.
After the Exodus he continued his leadership position with Moses. Both of them were singled out when the people complained about the conditions in the wilderness. In spite of his responsibilities as a spiritual leader he committed a serious sin. While Moses was on the mountain praying to God and receiving the Ten Commandments the people demanded, "Make us gods, who shall go before us." Aaron collected their gold and made an image of a calf. He was saved from God's wrath only because Moses interceded on his behalf.
When the priesthood was instituted Aaron was consecrated as the first high priest of Israel. He received instructions for the first Passover. Aaron alone, serving in the capacity of high priest, went into the Holy of Holies once a year. He was given special garments to wear and when he died on Mount Hor, at the age of one hundred-twenty-three, the robes were transferred to his oldest living son, Eleazar. The people mourned for Aaron thirty days.
Lessons from the life of Aaron:
- Effective teamwork is possible when each individual uses his own strengths to the fullest.
- Only God deserves our complete loyalty and obedience.
- Don't complain about God's leaders.
- Sometimes the skills that make a good team player also make us a poor leader.
- Don't yield to public pressure when it goes against God's word.
- Aaron's experience reveals God's great forgiveness. In spite of Aaron's great sin in making the golden idol, God later made him the high priest of Israel.
Aaron's story is told in Exodus through Deuteronomy 10:6. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 7:11.
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