AARON was the elder brother of Moses. We do not read so much of him as we read of Moses, but the work which the Lord had for him to do was a great work. When Moses was told by the Lord to go to the children of Israel, he tried to excuse himself by telling the Lord that he was “slow of speech, and of a slow tongue,” that is, he was not a good speaker, and was in fear on this account that the people would not listen to him. The Lord reproved his want of faith, and said to him, Aaron “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 4:1616And 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 4:16). Aaron, therefore, had to speak to the people that which Moses was told by God to make known to them.
Aaron had a rod. By means of it the Lord did some wondrous works. Two of these were the changing of the rod into a serpent, and its budding and bearing fruit. The first miracle was wrought when Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to tell him that it was the Lord’s will that the people of Israel should leave Egypt. Then when the king asked for a sign that they came from God, Aaron threw down his rod, and it was turned into a serpent. The magicians of Egypt came, and they had serpents, with which they deceived, but Aaron’s serpent ate up the others.
When the people of Israel came into the wilderness, God told Moses to come up to Mount Sinai, there to receive laws for the people, and also to be instructed how to make the Tabernacle, and everything connected therewith.
When the Tabernacle was set up in the wilderness, Aaron was consecrated to be the High Priest of Israel. All the garments with which he was clad were made according to God’s command. There were six garments, namely, “a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle.” Exodus 28:44And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office. (Exodus 28:4).
On the shoulders of the ephod were set two precious stones, upon which were engraven the names of the tribes of Israel; and on the breastplate were twelve precious stones, likewise engraven with the names of the tribes.
Aaron was set apart for his great office by being dressed in these beautiful garments, and having his head anointed with oil; in addition to which the blood of “the ram of consecration,” was put upon the tip of his right ear, upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8
As the High Priest, he was the only one who was allowed to go into the holy of holies, and into that he entered but once a year, and that not without blood, on the great day of atonement. Leviticus 16. In the tenth of Hebrews we are told that the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sins, but the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin, and has perfected forever every child of God, that is, all who have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14); 1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7); Galatians 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26). After Aaron, his sons were set apart for the office of High Priest. It continued in that line until the priesthood had passed away. And now Aaron was to die. Like Moses, he was not allowed to go into the promised land. On account of the rebellion at the waters of Meribah, the Lord said he should not see the land. To Mount Hor he was now to go up with Moses. There Moses was to take off the garments of Aaron, and put them on Eleazar his son, who was to have after him the High Priesthood. And there Aaron died.
How much there is to learn from this history! The first thing we cannot help noticing is that Aaron was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was the High Priest of Israel. The Lord Jesus Christ is the great High Priest of His people. When He had by Himself purged their sins, He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.
“The ATONING work is done,
The Victim’s blood is shed,
And Jesus now is gone
His people’s cause to plead:
He stands in heaven their great High Priest,
And bears their names upon His breast.
“And tho’ awhile He be
Hid from the eyes of men,
His people look to see
Their great High Priest again.
In brightest glory He will come
And take His waiting people home.”