Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

2. this Aaronic priesthood executed the various rituals and offerings, entering into the first part ofthe tabernacle, but only Aaron himself could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day ofAtonement (cf. Leviticus 16:11-14)3. it is in this capacity that Aaron faces the saddest challenge to his faith (Leviticus 10:1-3)E. Rebel1. just after their departure from Mount Sinai, Aaron and his sister Miriam conspired to protest theauthority of their younger brother, Moses (Numbers 12:1-9)a. Miriam receives the harshest punishment, being made a leper, but Aaron pleads with Mosesto intercede with God and her disease lasts only a weekb. this episode, though, serves to show the humanity of Aaron and his imperfection, for thecharge was baseless and only used to mask the siblings true resentment of Moses’s authority2. moreover, their rebellion persuaded others that they could stand up against Moses; Korah led anunsuccessful rebellion against all three of the siblings a short while later (cf. Numbers 16) before Godvindicated them (Numbers 17:1-12)F. Death1. there is one occasion where it might be argued that Aaron’s impatience rubbed off on Moses, forthe two sinned against God by bringing his glory to themselves (Numbers 20:10-12)2. indeed, Aaron does not live much longer at all (Numbers 20:22-29)II. Some ApplicationsA. Family1. Aaron was born into a family noted for violence and impulsiveness and throughout his life heseems to struggle against that heritage to become a man of character and thoughtfulness2. whether by nature or nurture, we all inherit certain qualities as a result of being born to certainparents or brought up in a certain environment3. some of those qualities must be good, but others may present a struggle like Aaron’s4. in the end, neither nature nor nurture is an apt excuse for living wickedly; one must rise above hisdetractors to show godly character (First Corinthians 6:9-11)a. the early church was filled with reformed harlots, homosexuals, idolaters, thieves and drunks,and so should be the modern churchb. the legendary Cretans that Titus taught were “always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons,” butthey could be rebuked sharply in order to find soundness in their faith (cf. Titus 1:12-13)c. forget nature vs. nurture and get about the business of rising above it all (First Peter 2:1-3B. Humble Helper1. throughout his life, Aaron was the assistant to his younger brother, speaking for him and holdingup his stronger hands in battle2. it takes so much humility to toil in relative obscurity or to fade away as others become moreprominent; think of John the immerser who decreased that his younger cousin could be the Messiah3. in churches, deacons are often the humble assistants to the elders and every member can hold upthe hands of the elders and preachers who sometimes grow weary in the battle against the wolves whowould devour the flocka. we help the elders (Hebrews 13:7,17)b. we support the preachers (Second Timothy 1:8-18)C. Accepting Blame1. here are Aaron’s noteworthy errorsa. failing to restrain the people who desired a molten calf to replace Jehovah while he keptMoses busy with the 10 commandments on Mount Sinaib. apparently wanting to defend Nadab and Abihu and question God for punishing theirirreverent “strange fire”c. resenting Moses’s authority with Miriam and introducing the notion of rebellion to Korahand Israeld. along with Moses, taking credit for the miracle at Meribah that kept them both out of Canaan86! Jeff S. Smith