Eldest son of Amram and Jochebed, of the tribe of Levi. We first read of him when Moses was excusing himself from being sent to deliver Israel from Egypt because he was “slow of speech.” Jehovah declared that his brother Aaron who was coming to meet him could speak well and should be his spokesman. Aaron accompanied Moses in his interviews with Pharaoh, and with his rod some of the miraculous plagues were called forth. He with Hur held up the hands of Moses on the Mount when Israel fought with Amalek (Ex. 17:12). Aaron with his two sons Nadab and Abihu with seventy of the elders, went with Moses into the mount where “they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness” (Ex. 24:9-10). When Moses retired higher into the mount, he left Israel in the charge of Aaron and Hur (Ex. 24:14).
Aaron, alas, had not the stability of his brother, but at the request of the people, and apparently without a protest, made for them the golden calf: he also built an altar before it, and made proclamation of a feast to Jehovah on the morrow. He was thus engaged while God was directing Moses respecting the tabernacle and its offerings, and declaring that Aaron and his sons were to be the appointed priests. Their appointment stood, showing how marvelously God’s grace abounds over sin, and that none are chosen because of their inherent goodness. Aaron with Miriam (priest and prophetess) spake against Moses, with whom as mediator God had established His covenant for Israel in sovereign mercy (Ex. 34:27); and to whom God spake “mouth to mouth” at that time. Their excuse was that he had married an Ethiopian woman (sign of the same sovereign grace that goes out to Gentiles who have no claim to it). Aaron humbled himself and interceded for Miriam (Num. 12). Aaron also sinned with Moses at the waters of Meribah, and was not allowed to enter the promised land (Num. 20:10-29). He was stripped of his robes, which were put on Eleazar his son, and he died and was buried on Mount Hor. Viewed officially, Aaron is a striking type of Christ. In his consecration he was clothed with the priestly garments, with the breastplate, the miter and the crown, and then was anointed with oil, type of the Holy Spirit. It was only in connection with his sons that there was any washing spoken of, or any sacrifice, even as Christ identified Himself with the priestly company, His brethren (Ex. 29:4, 10, 19-20; Heb. 2:11-13).