Aaron, the brother of Moses, certainly had some impressive credentials. He was the spokesman for Moses (Ex. 4:14-16). In this work, Moses and Aaron became a pattern for the relationship between God and His prophets. "So the Lord said to Moses: 'See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you. And Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to send the children of Israel out of his land'" (Ex. 7:1-2). Aaron also performed miracles before Pharaoh and his magicians (Ex. 7:10-13).

When God delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage He led them "by the hand of Moses and Aaron" (Ps. 77:20). Aaron was often seen at the side of Moses as he taught and judged the nation. God chose Aaron to be the first High Priest of Israel (Heb. 5:4), and defended his right to serve in this capacity by causing his rod to miraculously bud (Num. 16-17).

Aaron was a good man who was honored by God, but he was far from perfect. Despite the privileges he enjoyed, Aaron made several serious mistakes from which we can learn some important lessons.

Although he was a good public speaker, the record of his life indicates he was not a good leader. Aaron seemed to be left in charge when Moses went up on Mount Sinai for forty days to receive the Law from God (Ex. 32). When Moses did not return in a timely fashion, the people approached Aaron and told him to make them a god to lead them. Aaron knew this was a sin, yet he failed to restrain them (v. 25). Instead he yielded to their voice, made the golden calf, and presented it to them as their god.

In Numbers chapter twelve, Aaron joined his sister Miriam in challenging the unique role and authority held by their brother Moses. God defended Moses before them and then struck Miriam with leprosy. Aaron pleaded with Moses to intercede for Miriam, and when he did so she was cleansed. Why wasn't Aaron also struck with leprosy? For one thing, he was the High Priest, and he would have become defiled and unable to serve if he had leprosy. However, it is likely that Miriam was the leader in this rebellious action, and Aaron was simply going along with her.

Aaron also experienced heartbreak regarding his children. Two of his sons, Nadab and Abihu, were struck dead by the Lord when they offered up incense with strange fire (Lev. 10:1-2). Immediately after this happened, Moses told Aaron, "This is what the Lord spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified.' So Aaron held his peace" (v. 3). A father's natural reaction would be to cry out against God, but Moses quickly reminded Aaron of the unique place that he and his sons held before God on behalf of the people.

While Aaron was often a great help to Moses, he also paid a price for assisting Moses in sinning before the people. The people cried out to Moses and Aaron for water. The Lord gave them instructions regarding how they were to get water for the people. "And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, 'Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?' Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, 'Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them'" (Num. 20:10-12). Instead of honoring God, Moses took credit for delivering the water to Israel. Because of this Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. However, notice that this punishment was also given to Aaron. Before his death (recorded later in the same chapter), God said, "Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah" (v. 24).

The record of Aaron's life gives us several important lessons.

• Just because someone possesses good talents or skills in their service to the Lord does not mean they are good leaders. A church needs to be careful when appointing elders.
• We need to make sure we are not easily manipulated into acting against God's will.
• Serving the Lord does not excuse us from the responsibility to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
• We are held accountable by God when we are a party to another's sin.

One final thought from the life of Aaron. Despite his sins and shortcomings, Aaron was used by God to fill a special and important role. He was far from perfect, but this didn't keep him from being Moses' spokesman and right-hand man, and serving as the first High Priest of Israel. You and I are not perfect, but there is still a place for us in God's kingdom.