Aaron had many great qualities but he had his failings too. He lacked strength of character, allowing himself to be easily led.
By the people, he was led into idolatry. In Moses’ absence, Israel sought a god other than the Lord, ‘in their hearts’ turning back again to Egypt, Acts 7. 39-40. Clearly, they had carried this rival god out of Egypt in their hearts and now pressured Aaron to give it a physical form. Surely, if Aaron was aware, as he later claimed, that the people were bent on ‘mischief’, it was his duty to resist their demands, even at the risk of his life. Alas, we find him labouring, not to help ‘make’ a sanctuary to serve as a focal point for the worship of the true God, Exod. 25. 8, but to ‘make’ a calf to be worshipped as a false god; not to build an altar where sacrifice would be offered to the Lord, but an altar where sacrifice would be offered to an idol, Acts 7. 41. Moses had nothing to say to Aaron about his pathetic attempt to excuse himself and to shift all of the blame onto the people. But if Moses had not spoken to God on his behalf, Aaron would have died there and then at the hand of the Lord – as 3,000 guilty Israelites soon would die at the hand of the Levites, Deut. 9. 20.
By Miriam, he was led into envy. That the leprosy was inflicted on Miriam alone implies strongly that she was the instigator. Again Aaron is carried along, associating himself with Miriam’s insubordination against Moses. This time Aaron was drawn by envy into conflict with the sovereign rights of God! Thinking that we sit in judgement on the poor spiritual condition of others, we too usually expose only our own.
By Moses, he was led into unbelief and rebellion. Aaron was allied to Moses when Moses struck the rock. They committed two great sins: (i) they ‘believed’ not God, presumably doubting that words addressed to a rock would suffice to bring out water, and (ii) they ‘rebelled’ against God’s word, Num. 20. 12, 24. These very sins had cost the former generation of Israel entry into the promised land; Num. 14. 9, 11; Neh. 9. 17. Together with Moses, Aaron was guilty of the same offences – and paid the same price!
Lord, give me the courage to stand up always for what is right.
