Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

Aarona character study by Jeff S. SmithIntroductionAaron is one of those older brothers who is overshadowed by the career and personality of his youngersibling, in this case, Moses. Aaron, however, does not simply go along for the ride with Moses; he is animpressive character himself who does many great things and helps provide stability to pilgrim Israel.Like his brother, Aaron occasionally lost his senses and committed iniquity against God, but his humilitybrought him back at the Lord’s chastening. We will look at six segments of Aaron’s life and then make afew practical applications.DiscussionI. AaronA. Family1. the birth of Aaron is noted in Exodus 6:20, where we discover that he and Moses were the sonsof Abram and his aunt, Jochebed2. they were part of the tribe of Levi, one of the 12 sons of Jacob who formed the seeds of thenation of Israela. Levi and his family were zealous for the clan, even to the point of bloody violence, avengingthe rape of Dinah by killing all the men of Shechem and then plundering the city (cf. Genesis 34)b. certainly, there were Levitical qualities that dishonored Aaron’s family, even at Jacob’s death(Genesis 49:5-7)3. of the three siblings, Miriam was the oldest, followed by Aaron and then Moses, the baby whowas cast upon the river in an ark; Aaron was three years old when Moses was born (cf. Exodus 7:7)B. Moses’s Assistant1. prior to the births of Moses and Aaron, Israel dwelt in Egypt where they had found refuge duringthe famine of Joseph’s era; after a few centuries, distrust and racism had developed that sent the Hebrewpeople into slavery, toiling for the Pharaoh on his pyramids and other projectsa. Moses, however, gained an unintended respite from all this by being adopted into Pharaoh’sfamily as a baby, but then having to flee Egypt after killing a manb. Aaron stayed behind, until God sent him out to greet a returning Moses (Exodus 4:27-312. Aaron became Moses’ spokesman, for the great leader admitted that he lacked eloquence (Exodus4:14-16, 7:1)a. together, they rallied Israel toward hope and challenged Pharaoh to let the people go, workingmiracles until, on one bloody Passover night, the Exodus commencedb. yet Aaron, the spokesman, always remained Moses’s assistant, even in battle (Exodus17:8-13C. An Elder1. naturally, Aaron occupies a place of authority and respect among the pilgrim nation caughtbetween Egyptian slavery and the Promised Land2. he is among the small group of representatives allowed to approach the mountain where Godcommunicated with his people, and to see the glory of God manifested (Exodus 24:1,9-11)3. when Moses and Joshua go up into the mountain to receive the law from God, Aaron exercisesheadship over the community of thousands who stays behinda. nowhere is the choice of Moses over Aaron more clearly correct than here, because Aaronfalls well short of God’s glory in his younger brother’s absence (Exodus 32:1-6)b. even his explanation is disappointing (Exodus 32:19-24)c. his tribe only redeems itself by recanting Israel’s apostasy and punishing the impenitent(Exodus 32:25-28)D. High Priest1. as the tabernacle was planned and erected, Aaron and his sons were made priests who wouldeschew the regular rigors of daily life to toil for the people before God day and night (cf. Exodus 28,Leviticus 8)Character Studies! 85