Let me ask you a question: Would you like to know the ‘when’ and the ‘how’ of your death? Or would you prefer to be blissfully ignorant of the events that escort you into eternity? My answer would be, “it depends.” If I am going to be eaten by sharks or ravaged by a grizzly bear, I would prefer it to be a surprise. Would you like to know the ‘when’ and the ‘how’ of your death? It is an interesting question for some and probably a troubling question for others, but for most of us it is a purely hypothetical question, so we can relax. That was not the case for Aaron. Aaron knew the ‘when’ and the ‘how’ of his death. In fact Aaron would climb his way up the mountain of death.
Please turn with me to Numbers 20
As you turn there, let me give you a bit of the context. Numbers 20 is an eventful chapter. It begins with the death of Moses’ sister Miriam and it ends with the death of Aaron, Moses’ brother and the first High Priest of Israel.
For forty years Moses and Aaron had been working as God’s representatives, leading the people, guiding the people, caring for the people as they waited to enter into the Promise Land. Now the time of waiting was coming to an end.
Beginning with verse 2 we read: Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, "If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD! (Numbers 20:2-3)
Notice that the people gathered ‘in opposition’ to Moses and Aaron. They were angry and they blamed Moses and Aaron for their situation. The term "quarreled" in verse 3 is a strong word and it can refer to a violent conflict. This isn’t just a discussion—it’s a brawl. It’s a mob looking to take their frustration out on someone and those someones were Moses and Aaron.
Moses and Aaron respond well to the meeting. Beginning in verse 6 we read: “Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7 The LORD said to Moses, 8 "Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink." (Numbers 20:6-8)
The guys do what you are supposed to do, they approach God and God gave them clear instruction. Moses was to speak to the rock, with the promise that water would pour from it, but that isn’t exactly what happens. Picking up the account in verse 10 we read: He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. (Numbers 20:10-11)
What is wrong with this picture? Well, first of all, Moses clearly had had enough with his people. He was ticked. He was frustrated. He was defensive. He was hurt. From his perspective the people blamed him for their crisis, but he wasn’t to blame. All he had done was sacrifice for them. He led them out of slavery. He, along with Aaron had been intermediaries between God and His people. It wasn’t fair that Moses and Aaron got blamed for everything. Both Aaron and Moses had had enough, so rather than following God’s clear instruction, they lose it. Moses breaks. His anger bubbles over. The one that God calls the meekest man on earth is pushed over the edge. He calls the people rebels and then, instead of pointing to God as their solution, Moses takes the credit. I guess Moses figured that if he was going to get blamed for everything, he might as well take a bit of the credit.
And instead of just speaking to the rock, he raises his arm and hits it twice, obviously in anger. This kind of display was not going to get Moses and Aaron their photos on the front of Ministry Monthly Webzine.
In Psalm 106 we get a bit of an insight into what was going on in Moses heart. Beginning with verse 32 we read: They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, 33 for they made his spirit bitter, and he spoke rashly with his lips. (Psalm 106:32-33, ESV)
Moses’ spirit became bitter and he spoke rashly. Not only that, but God had specifically told him to speak to the rock—not hit it.
The results of Moses and Aaron’s outburst is found in verse 12
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." (Numbers 20:12)
Both Moses and Aaron lost the opportunity to lead the people into the Promised Land, the question is, “Was what they did really all that bad?” Have I ever lost it in ministry? You bet! Have I ever said rash things? No comment. Have I ever been bitter? Define bitter!
Still could such a harsh penalty come from one moment? Sure! It happens all the time. Seriously, all it takes is one moment to change everything. The moment a drunk driver turns on the key to his/her car. The moment teenage passion becomes teenage pregnancy. The moment fantasy becomes adultery. All of these moments change everything. One moment can change everything because actions have consequences.
But what’s really happening here in this passage? Let’s look carefully at what God says to them. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." (Numbers 20:12)
According to God, they did not trust in Him enough to honour Him as holy in the sight of the Israelites. What does that mean? Well we aren’t talking about belief here. It isn’t that Moses or Aaron doubted God’s reality or power. What happened was that they didn’t trust God enough in what way? Well it had to do with His character. They didn’t trust God enough to honour Him as holy. In other words, their actions betrayed the fact that they somehow blamed God for the situation they were in.
Here is what I think: their frustration with God’s people spilled over into some sort of a frustration with God Himself. I think that is part of the reason Moses acts like he is the one who is bringing the water from the rock and that is why he hits the rock with great force and drama. Maybe he felt that God should have done more to protect him or defend him from the constant complains and fights, so instead of waiting for God to defend him, he would defend himself.
Ultimately, who knows what went through their heads, what we do know is that they were at a point where their actions were influenced more by their frustrations than their faith. Moses concentrates more on the sins of the people than on the Lord’s Sovereign solution to His people
Now, notice what God says at the end of verse 12: "Because you did not trust in me enough to honour me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." The Lord doesn’t say. Because you did not trust me, I am going to punish you by keeping you out of the Promised Land. The Lord says nothing about keeping them out. Keeping them out isn’t the focus of God’s response. What is the focus of God’s response is their ability to lead the community into the Promised Land.
Let’s face it—it isn’t like this was going to be the last time that God’s people rose up against God in fear and disbelief. If God’s people were to have any chance in the challenging days ahead, particularly when they finally entered the Promised Land, they would need leaders who inspired them to faith and who continually reminded them of God’s perfect character and promises. They would need leaders who could handle the conflicts and pressures that were inevitable in an extended war-like situation, without second-guessing God’s goodness or motivation. Moses and Aaron’s handling of this situation had disqualified them from being effective leaders, but it didn’t disqualify them from the Promise. Keep that in mind as we look at the last part of the passage.
Beginning with verse 22 we read: “The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 24 "Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there." 27 Moses did as the LORD commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron's garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.” (Numbers 20:22-29)
Now what do you see when you look at this passage? Do you see a vengeful or a gracious God? I see grace all over this passage. Let’s see if I can point some of that grace out to you.
First of all, notice that Aaron knows what is coming. He knows it is his time to die. Some of you might not think that is such a great thing, but it isn’t like Aaron is sitting on death row. Aaron is 123 years old at this point. More than that, because he knows he will not be coming down from the mountain He was going to be with his God. There was grace, honour and respect shown to Aaron simply by the way Aaron was allowed to die.
And while it is true that there is this one moment of failure that is mentioned in regards to Aaron’s death, namely the moment of Meribah, I find it interesting to point out what is missing.
For 40 years Aaron’s been a leader with Moses, but Aaron’s leadership was far from perfect. In fact if ever there was a time when Aaron’s leadership and office could have been under the judgment of God, it was when Moses was up on Mount Sinai and Aaron made the golden calf. Aaron could take the peer pressure. He couldn’t stand against the wishes of his people, even when those wishes were so clearly contrary to the will of god. He created an idol that was an affront to God and he allowed God’s people to worship it (Exodus 32). In fact in Deuteronomy 9, Moses recounting of this event indicated that God was so angry with Aaron, that it was only Moses’ prayers of intercession that saved Him from death, but here, at the end of his life, the moment of the golden calf isn’t mentioned.
Then there was the time that he sided with Miriam when she revolted against Moses (Numbers 12). Yet another time when Aaron was weak and easily swayed, but again God doesn’t mention that sin either. So many things could have been mentioned but they aren’t, because as God looked at Aaron, as he looks at all of us, as more than a collection of sinful moments.
He had been a support to his brother all these years, from the very beginning when he spoke for him in the presence of Pharaoh. He had served as the first High Priest. He was part of God’s plan for forty years and now at the age of 123, God wasn’t throwing all his sins in his face. He was honoring Him with a tender, thoughtful, gracious death.
Think about this scene. Aaron is told he is going to die. He is taken away from the community and He climbs a mountain to meet God in death. He has privacy, but he is not alone. He has his brother and his son. More than that, he gets to see his son take over the office of High Priest, that is what the removal of His garments are all about. As Moses puts the priestly garments on Eleazar, the office of High Priest is transferred.
There is great comfort in this. God makes sure that Aaron knows that the Priesthood would continue. The Priesthood was in God’s hands. There is nothing worse than thinking everything you have worked for all your life will die with you. God makes sure that Aaron knows that his life’s work would live on in His son. His life’s work would be remember, not his sins and mistakes. What an amazing gift that is.
Next I want you to think about the fact that Aaron dies naked, at least naked from anything that would distinguish him as High Priest. This is comforting not only because he sees that his son will take over the office, but also because he knows that he is going to die and stand before God, not as a High Priest, but as a man. He is going to stand before God as a person, not an office. Ultimately Aaron would stand before God simply as a human being who loved God. And the mistakes and sins of his life may be exposed, but they will also be healed. Ultimately Aaron knows that life and death are not about what we do, or what role we play, it is about our relationship with God.
I think of Aaron as an apple. He may have had a few bruises. He may have even had a worm or two, but when you cut away the bad stuff, you find a core that was healthy. Aaron trusted God. We know that because notice Aaron’s reaction in all of this—there is no panic, only peace.
There isn’t any indication that he tried to run away. There isn’t any crying, or “it’s not my time,” or “why does it have to be me,” or “you’re being unfair God, Moses was the one who it the rock!” In Aaron I see a calm, peaceful and perhaps even thankful acceptance that it was indeed his time. Throughout this mountain of death Aaron is treated with respect and honour. At the same time, Aaron’s attitude is full of faith and trust.
Knowing what we know about Aaron, I think we can make a good case that Aaron is relieved. I don’t think Aaron was up to the battle of taking the land. I think Aaron was tired. I think Aaron was never comfortable in his role as High Priest. He obeyed the call and followed God’s leading, but he wasn’t exactly clutching the garments as Moses tried to remove them. So when I look at Aaron and the way he dies, I see nothing but grace in the way he is treated. He is honoured by his brother, by his son, by his God and by his people as they mourn for him for thirty days.
But there is one last glimpse of grace that is communicated here, not only to Aaron, but to all of God’s people. We are specifically told in verse 27 that “They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community.” Why is that such an important detail to mention? Simply this, the whole community see Aaron go up the mountain as High Priest and they see Eleazar return from the mountain as High Priest.
Imagine what they must have felt like: For forty years there was one man who instructed them in what God required of them sacrificially. There was one man they came to with their sins. There was one man they came to with their spiritual concerns. There was one man who offered sacrifices on their behalf and now that man was gone. But, thankfully God had made sure that Aaron did not die as High Priest. Before Aaron dies, Eleazar became the new High Priest. Again the message is clear. God is the one who is in control of making sure that His people have a mediator.
So what we have here really is a glimpse of the truth of Hebrews 5. Beginning in verse 1 we read: Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
The writer of Hebrews tells us the very thing we learn from Aaron’s death today. Aaron was chosen to be High Priest and Eleazar was chosen to be High Priest. God was in control. More than that, we also see that Aaron was subject to sin and weakness. In other words, Aaron was in need of a High Priest greater than himself.
Continuing on with verse 5: So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 6 And he says in another place, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
The writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was similar to Aaron or Eleazar or any of the other High Priests in one respect: God chose Him as High Priest. It was God’s idea. It was God ensuring His people would have a mediator.
But there is a way in which Jesus was different than all the other priests. He was not a priest in the order of Aaron—He was a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Now lots of people get hung up on the meaning behind Melchizedek. We know Melchizedek was a priest in what would become Jerusalem and he accepted Abraham’s offering to God and he blesses Abraham. He appears and disappears from history, and is a mystery, but forget about all that stuff, because all we need to know about Jesus’ connection to the order of Melchizedek is found in the next few verses.
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him
10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:1-10)
In Jesus’ suffering, in His anguish He cried out to God. He learned what it was like to be human, but because of His perfect obedience, He never sinned. Jesus’ sacrifice became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. In other words, what it means that Jesus is a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek is that He is able to offer grace to all people of all nations for all time, and not just the Jews. He is the one and only source of salvation.
Going back to Aaron, I am sure his walk up the mountain wasn’t easy. No matter how much faith you have, it remains difficult when your story comes to an end. And yet, God gave him a heads up. He gave him opportunity to be prepared to die and He spared him from a long illness, or a painful death. More than that, Aaron may have been removed from office before God’s people make it to the Promised Land, but Aaron himself got an upgrade. The Promised Land was a type of the ultimate promise of eternal life lived in the presence of God. The Promised Land points to the Promised Life. Aaron skipped the type and went directly to the real thing. His walk up the mountain was His walk home
But Aaron still needed a High Priest greater than himself! He needed Jesus Christ, who gave himself as a perfect sacrifice for all our sins.
It was for the sake of what Christ would do on the cross that Aaron could die in peace; and the same is true for us! In Christ we have the full forgiveness of all our sins and weaknesses.
Moments before he died, Moses removed his priestly clothes. Now he was just an ordinary man in his underwear before God. When God calls us, we must put down our greatness and pride and all that is left for us, in the nakedness of death, is to trust in Christ alone as our High Priest.
Aaron’s priesthood was temporary. It ended on Good Friday when God’s invisible hand tore the Temple curtain in two from top to bottom, and Jesus shed his blood on the cross, as High Priest. Aaron’s priesthood ended there.
And now through Jesus we have the priesthood of Melchizedek, which is for all nations and all time, instead of it being just for Israel. It is the priesthood of Christ that never ends. He will never be replaced. He remains our intercessor to this very day! And He understands all those moments of weakness and sin. He knows because He experienced temptation and pressure, and yet He never sinned. And because of that we can approach his throne with confidence and take our problems and temptations to him! Our High Priest has promised you’ll receive mercy and grace in your time of need! Jesus is alive- always! He is always interceding on our behalf, so that when our day comes, we can lie down in peace, with confidence, not in our accomplishments, but in the goodness of God who has always provided a mediator for us that we might know Him and experience His grace.
