Many characters of the Bible are well known by most Christians. Aaron, the first brother of Moses, is such a man. Every child knows that he was the one who made the golden calves and in the absence of his brother, was at least "coerced" into compromise with the debauchery of the Israelites while God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai in one of the great highlights of God’s revelation to that nation of people.

But, who is this Aaron? We and our children know that Moses makes his way into the Hall of Fame of Hebrews chapter eleven, but Aaron does not. The latter is only mentioned five times in all of the New Testament, while Moses is spoken of about eighty times. So often we learn about the "famous" characters and neglect the great truths God leaves for us in the less known ones.

THE JOYFUL SIDE

OF SERVICE

There are times when a man of God rebukes the calling of God in such a way that a second man is chosen in his place. Moses, the man of faith, mentioned in Hebrews’ Hall of Fame, is also the man who could not believe God could do something with his slow, stammering tongue.

God called Moses to be His spokesman, but repeatedly he refused God’s pleasure. Even after God demonstrated his miraculous powers to indicate what he would do with a stammering tongue, Moses was still reluctant and in essence said, "no" to God.

It was known in heaven by the Lord, at this very time, that Aaron was a great orator, Genesis 4:14-16.

It is not known what Aaron had spoken prior to God’s call for his life, but God had already given him great talent in this area. It is unfortunate for Moses that he did not obey God, even if he had speech problems.

There are some today that look at all the circumstances surrounding their lives, and even after God demonstrates His will, call and power, they miss the very thing God had chosen them to do. It would seem well for all of us to keep in mind that we are not always prepared in advance for the things God wants from us.

Surely faith would tell us that God is able with us as well as with anyone or anything. What is the thing that keeps us back? Give it to God, even if it is a handicap, and God will greatly use it. Don’t dare any of us to give up God’s very best.

Aaron would have known God in advance of His calling to be a spokesman, and the first time we see him presented in Scripture, the Lord described him, "glad in his heart."

It does not say what his joy was all about, but we could assume that when he met with Moses and the Lord’s call, that it was not a burden to be a "light bearer," but a joy beyond all reason.

Meanwhile Moses was not mentioned in this same regard. He had shunned the Lord’s call, even though the Lord would use him and even his, "mouth." Don’t go part way in your own life. It is not worth it. "There is joy in serving Jesus."

THE ASSIGNED SIDE

OF SERVICE

In God’s sovereignty, Aaron was born in Egypt as one of the many captives of Israel. His mother is well known for her ingenuity in keeping Moses alive and grooming him for the educated and prestigious life in Pharaoh’s palace.

None of this happened by accident of course. It was God’s doing all along. Aaron, not having the same "advantages" as Moses, did not become as well educated. He was not familiar with the workings within the government. He did not travel in the same circles as his older brother, but one would always compliment the other.

One would know, and the other would show. Moses would lead and Aaron would follow. This was his assigned task in God’s arrangement of affairs, and there were only a few instances when he was not the follower he should have been. All men have faults and sins and Aaron was no exception. Moses had his problems as well. But in God’s grace, all are susceptible to forgiveness and continuance.

Aaron had entrance into the affairs of state through Moses. He was controlled by the government, but had a higher calling that was used of God to challenge that heathen state of Egypt.

He had learned from his parents to face government with ingenuity, spunk, courage and righteousness. He was called by God for such an hour as this, in the same fashion that every Christian alive is called for whatever purpose God has in mind for the time and place.

Aaron’s life should be an example to all of us that God prepares us, sets us forth in His will, and expects to perform that which is pleasing to Him through us. It is a good thing to know that we do not go through life aimless when we are in the hands of a living God.

THE REPENTANT SIDE

OF SERVICE

Everyone knows Aaron’s sins in regard to the golden calf and moral compromise in the absence of Moses, in Exodus 32.

Speaking eloquent things is not enough! A man of God has to come to the place where he will also know how to act. He must be able to control his weaknesses. Aaron was able to do two things well: He could speak, but he could also listen. This is not always a quality that everyone possesses, but Aaron did. He listened intently to God through Moses, and now he is listening to his flesh through the Israelites who want action.

The result is that as a spokesman, he tells the people how to go about their sin. He joins right into their calamity. He was a disappointment, but he also stands as a lesson of recovery before the Lord.

But one of the strengths of Aaron is that he knew repentance: Something demanded by God. He understood that it was either repentance or death, and he was led into this goodness of God (Romans 2:4) and found a sweet pardon from the Lord.

He knew a conviction that was overwhelming to his soul, and on the backside of the desert, he again found his relationship with the Lord by His previous grace. It was something which would renew his joy in the Lord.

He showed humility, shame, self-abhorrence, confession, turning from sin and idolatry to the living God who had made his life of service. Oh, today, if we only knew what it meant to be in a full state of repentance and righteousness before a living and mighty God!

THE SERIOUS SIDE

OF SERVICE

This Aaron is the man God chose to be the High Priest in Israel. He was the one who would dedicate the holy things of God and who would lead Israel into a worship relationship with the Mighty God of Israel. He would ware the garments of holiness. He would offer the sacrifices before holy God for the sins of himself and the people. He must know the seriousness of sin and compromise, and certainly through the wilderness, he found out these truths.

He was a man of God. He was chosen of God. He stood before the Lord as a type of Jesus Christ, the truly High Priest, and became the symbol or type of what Christ was as the mediator within in the Godhead.

When the people would murmur over his ministry, which they did, he would go on. He was dauntless. He had learned courage early on and would continue with it, even though there were times when he was not as "bright" and "shining" as he might have been.

Even in periodical complaining of the people over his own ministry, he is not exempt. He listens well, and even went along with his sister’s conspiracy against Moses. But, seeing the intensity of God’s displeasure, he repented, asked God to heal Miriam of her resulting leprosy, and again learned the power of mediation and the great grace of the Living God.

Aaron also rebelled at the word of God at the waters of Meribah. He was discouraged, along with the people, that there was no water to drink. He grumbled and God was not pleased. Sin can be forgiven, but there can also be consequences.

Aaron would not enter into the promised land because of this singular event. The man God greatly used, was refused the final goal and destination of the Exodus. He came to his appointed death, and as he walked to his grave, his mantle of the priesthood was given to his son. God led him into death and he was buried on Mt. Hor, the highest mountain in Edom, just West of Petra.

He died in the arms of his great Saviour and God whom he had served for so many years. It had been a good walk, even though he had often failed along the way. Those of us who are Christians ought to think of this man and his brother, Moses, and remember the great high calling we have from the living God.

We need to remember that it is a serious walk we take with Him until our deaths. And even in that, may it be that we can look back and in spite of, and overshadowing of our failures, may we see that we have learned so much of God’s grace in being His service.