Aaron - The Mouthpiece of Moses

Introduction

I began to name this the ‘Bible Person Study’, but chose to go with the ‘Bible Character Study’. I hesitated to name it that, as I don’t want to diminish the fact that these are real people we’ll be examining. But the reason that it’s named the Bible Character Study is because we’ll be focusing on the person’s character throughout. But don’t forget that these were real people, with real lives that made real choices that had real consequences.

I. Aaron’s Nature

((What is their History / Background?)

Brother to Moses & Miriam (Num. 26:59)

Numbers 26:59 “And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.”

We all know Moses of course, but they were brothers unto Miriam as well (who we studied a week or two ago.

First High Priest under Mosaic Covenant

In Ex. 19-20 we have the establishment of the Mosiac Covenant (otherwise known as the ‘Old’ Covenant, which is characterized by the giving on the Law).

A couple things to note:

The Mosaic Covenant was Conditional (Ex. 19:5-8)

With the Covenant was Given Provision (Ex. 24-25)

God knew that man was inadequate to keep the Law - therefore, He would need atonement. This is where the Priesthood came in.

Aaron was the first High Priest, with his sons (and their sons & other Levites afterwards) holding the offices of priests under the Mosaic Covenant.

One thing to make clear is that the Mosaic Covenant is not in effect today. It was a conditional Covenant that was superceded by the Messianic Covenant (New) in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:22–26 “But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

First High Priest under the Mosaic Covenant

Father to Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar & Ithamar

This is noteworthy for a couple reasons:

Nadab & Abihu both have their own narrative that we’ll look at next week.

All four would serve as priests unto the LORD

Father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar & Ithamar

Aaron’s Nature

II. Aaron’s Notoriety

(What they are known for?)

Serving as Moses’ Mouthpiece (Ex. 4:14-16; 7:1-2)

Exodus 4:14–16 “And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.”

Exodus 7:1–2 “And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.”

God used Aaron in essence a Prophet’s role when serving under Moses. As God would speak to Moses, Moses to Aaron, then Aaron to man.

This is both a great honor & responsibility. Consider for a moment the consequences if Aaron were to take and change Moses’ words before giving it unto the people?

Serving as Moses’ Mouthpiece

Serving as the High Priest (Ex. 28:1-4)

Aaron now serves in a slightly different role in that he is tasked with interceding on behalf of man unto God.

In both roles, we see that Aaron has this great responsibility to bridge the gap between man and God.

Serving as High Priest

Staying the Arms of Moses (Ex. 17:8-13)

One of the great stories of support found in Scripture is that of Moses & Hur’s assistance in the battle.

No, they weren’t fighting in the battle, nor were they directing the battle - but they were just as important!

Staying the Arms of Moses

Making the Golden Calf (Ex. 32:1-6)

Probably what most people remember Aaron for is succumbing to the pressure placed upon him & fashioning the golden calf & causing the people to sin.

Do you know what he did? Let me give you a present day equivalence:

The people say ‘I don’t like this God - make us another god instead’ and Aaron says ‘Ok, how about this god?’ - And then give them what they want. My God says: Deuteronomy 22:5 “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.”

But man today says: ‘We don’t like that, let’s make us another one’ Then preachers - instead of speaking against the blasphemy, they fashion the god that the people likes!

Making the Golden Calf

III. What Makes Him Noteworthy

(What Lessons we can Learn from them?)

Obedience & Submission Propels Us to Partake in Great Things (Ex. 4:27-31)

Imagine if you will, Aaron saying unto Moses ‘nah, I don’t think so’. God would have most likely just risen up another, but then Aaron wouldn’t have been able to experience the mighty works of God first hand!

(Ill.) Imagine standing before Pharaoh and Moses says ‘cast your rod down’ and it become a serpent - then your rod gobble up the sorcerers rods! Imagine lifting up your rod and all the water turning to blood!

When we are obedient unto the LORD and submit to God and His God-given authority, it puts us in position to be part of some great and mighty things!

Obedience & Submission Propels Us to Partake in Great Things

Support is Just as Important as Leadership (Ex. 17:8-13)

Going back to lifting up of Moses’ hands, one important fact is to know that support is JUST AS IMPORTANT as Leadership.

ICor. 12:14-31 - all members; all necessary.

Going back to Sunday morning and the vision for 2024 that I have cast to this church, I made it very clear that I cannot do this alone. Just as Moses couldn’t do it alone, just as Joshua couldn’t - it takes a collective effort to accomplish great things for God!

Support is Just as Important as Leadership

Good Men can make Bad Decisions (Ex. 32:1-6; Num. 12)

It’s unfortunate that the first thing to come to mind for many when they think of Aaron is his sin at the foot of the mount. This is unfortunately the way of man - we tend to sit on the negative.

However, there’s much more said about Aaron’s submission, position and purpose than his shortcomings. While our shortcomings or bad decisions stick in the minds of men, know that God does not dwell solely on our sin, but extends Grace and Forgiveness that oftentimes escapes man.

There’s a saying that goes ‘The Best of Men, are Men at Best’. The idea is that all are feeble and fail.

I say that to say this: If you’re like me & you’ve made bad decisions, it doesn’t mean that it will dictate your future. God hasn’t given up on you, so don’t give up on yourself.

Good Men can make Bad Decisions

When the Godly Sins, it Leads Others to Destruction (Ex. 32:26-28)

That being said, when those that are standing as the face and voice of God sins, it can easily lead others to destruction.

Sinners are looking for the failures and flaws of the Godly - so as to give excuse for their own sin. This speaks to need for Christians to live Godly lives in the sight of men.

Leviticus 11:44–45 “For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

When the Godly Sins, it Leads Others to Destruction

God has Elevated Expectations of Priests

Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

This is a principle that we need to understand - for a few reasons.

It expresses the truth that Christians have been given much, and therefore much is required from Christians.

We’ve been given Forgiveness

We’ve been given Promises of Eternal Life, Home in Heaven, a Friend that Sticketh Closer than a brother, Wisdom to those who ask, the privledge to serve

We’ve been grafted into the Priesthood of Believers:

1 Peter 2:5–10 “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Because of such, God has Elevated Expectations of us - as He did the Aaronic Priesthood

Priests are Intercessors between God and Man (Lev. 1; Num. 3:1-10)

Priests are the ones who are standing in the gap.

Every Christian stands between man and God. It’s our business to bridge that gap.

We must be praying for them: 1 Timothy 2:1–3 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”

We must be witnessing to them: Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

Priests are Intercessors

Priests are of a Particular Heritage (Ex. 28:1)

Priests today are of a particular heritage - people who have been born again (Joh. 3)

Priests are to be Adorned Differently (Ex. 28)

Some might take offence at what I’m going to say, but know that it’s not my intention to cause offence, but to bring forth a truth.

When at the Tabernacle, the priests had a particular dress. It set them apart from everyone else.

When I’m at the House of God, I wear a particular dress - and I think all Christians should. This place shouldn’t be treated as any other place. God required the Priests to dress fitting of the position when at the Tabernacle.

I believe this place to be the most special place in the world. God thought enough about the Tabernacle that it was to be placed in in the very center of the camp.

Because of our example

Because of the Church’s Importance

I think the best way to honor God is to give God the best we got. No matter where I go, I’ll not dress better than when I’m at God’s House - and that’s the way I think it should be. NOT LEGALISTIC (i.e. long dress, no lipstick, etc.,) but given that the House of God is special, it should dictate special behaviour.

Priest are to be Adorned Differently

Priests are to be Sanctified (Ex. 29:20)

In short, they must:

Listen to God’s Word

Do God’s Work

Walk in God’s Way

When we adorn ourselves differently we show the change on the outside.

When we are submit to Sanctification, we show the change He’s made on the inside.

Remember - to whom much is given, much is required.

Conclusion