An Undetermined Leader: Aaron, Brother of Moses

Aaron, which means undetermined, was the oldest son of Amran and Jochebed, of the tribe Levi, and brother of Moses and Miriam. Born during the captivity in Egypt, before Pharaoh's proclamation that all male infants should be killed, Aaron was three years older than Moses. Aaron's name first appears in the written Word in God's commission, Exodus 4:14, to Moses. When Moses made an objection that he did not have adequate ability in public speaking to take on the assignment to Pharaoh, God replied: Exodus 4:14 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. 15 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. 16 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. In accordance with this command, he met Moses in "the mount of God" (Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him) after forty years separation, and took him back to the family home in Goshen. Aaron then introduced him to the elders of the people, and convinced them to accept him as their leader. Together Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh's court, where they approved the discussions that finally brought the end of the domination of the Israelites and the exodus from Egypt.

During Moses' forty years in the wilderness Aaron had married Elisheba (Elizabeth) the daughter of Amminadab, and sister of Naashon, a prince of the tribe of Judah. Aaron and Elizabeth had four sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Upon departing from Egypt, Aaron helped his brother throughout the wandering in the wilderness. Enroute to Sinai, in the battle with the Amalekite army, Aaron and Hur held up Moses' hands because while his hands were raised to God they were winning, when they dropped they began to lose. Israel consequently won the battle. With the institution of the tabernacle, Aaron became high priest in care of the universal worship, and the head of the family priesthood.

In character, Aaron was weak and quite often jealous. He and his sister Miriam criticized Moses for having married an Ethiopian (Cushite) woman, outside the family of Israel, complaining that Moses was not God's only spokesman.

When Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to get the tablets of the law given to him from God, Aaron assented to the people's insistence for an observable god that they might worship. So, taking their personal jewelry, Aaron put it all in a furnace and melted it making a golden calf that was similar to the recognizable bull-god of Egypt. The people addressed this image as the god who had brought them out of Egypt. Aaron did not argue with them, but built an altar instead proclaiming a feast to Lord on the following morning. The people celebrated with great carousing and wickedness. (Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what is become of him. 2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. 4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. 6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.)

When Moses returned and questioned Aaron concerning his assistance in this idol worship, Aaron said, "And I said unto them, whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf." (Exodus 32:24) It is not known for sure, but it might have been that Aaron intended to hold back the people with a compromise, but he was entirely unsuccessful. When the Tabernacle was completed two months later, Aaron and his sons were sanctified to the priesthood.

Aaron received warning of his imminent death at the end of their wandering in the wilderness. He and Moses then went up to Mt. Hor. Once they reached, Mt. Hor, Aaron was relieved of his priestly robes. These robes were passed on to his son, Eleazar. Aaron died at the age of 123, and he was buried in the mountain. The people mourned Aaron for thirty days. (Numbers 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount. 29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel)