8 Lessons from the Life of Aaron

When we're created, God not only gives us a calling, he also gifts us with people. Originally, we may have been preprogrammed with an idea that if we must have a destiny helper, then they must be strangers or just random people who are designed to help us achieve our calling, whatever it may be. But, a destiny helper is anyone who makes a journey easier, faster and safer. And anybody, could be friends, enemies and even family. 

The story of Aaron shows us how God blessed Moses with a brother as a destiny helper. Now, Aaron was not just Moses' brother or a random prophet. He was a standing and ranking man among the people of Israel. When a new leadership was needed in Israel, God ordered an elder from each of the twelve tribes to bring a wooden staff with his name on it, and leave it overnight in the tabernacle. According to Numbers 17:5, the Bible says God then said, "it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom". The very next morning, Aaron's rod sprouted and produced blossoms.

In Exodus 6:20; the Bible gives us a rundown on the ancestry of Aaron. "Amram, son of Kohath, son of Levi married his father's sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. After Moses had fled to Midian, God appeared to him as a burning bush telling him that he was the one to deliver the people of Israel from Pharaoh. He hesitated at first, and told God he was a stammerer and couldn't do it on his own. God asked him to call his brother, Aaron that he would use them both to set his people free. (Exodus 4)

The Bible also records that Aaron was the first high priest and served the Lord in the tabernacle. (Exodus 28)

Five Lessons from the Life of Aaron

1. Age is not a Limitation 

When Moses and Aaron went to speak to Pharaoh, Aaron was eighty-three and Moses was eighty years old ( Exodus 7:7) This is to tell us that God can use anybody irrespective of age, class or stature. 

2. We all have a part to play in life

Though God appointed Moses first, bringing Aaron to the calling gave Moses support and huge sense of backing. Remember how he kept doubting himself in Exodus 6:20. When God gives us people he reminds us that we are not alone. He would not leave us alone.

3. God doesn't need perfection

Aaron had gone astray and built a golden calf for the people of Israel as recorded in Exodus 32.  even though they (the people of Israel and Aaron) were punished for their actions, God forgave. 

He doesn't expect us to be without sin. He doesn't expect us to be perfect. It is okay to be human but we should always remember to ask for mercy when we wrong God.

4. Do not listen to the leading of other people

The people of Israel had continually disturbed and cried to Aaron that's why he built them the golden calf. When we are confronted with such situation- we should pause and ask ourselves if this leading or instructions is in line with the word of God. If it is not, we should step away. 

Do not let people's selfish desires push you away from the will and purpose of God. 

5. Help your brothers succeed in their calling

One thing that continually stood out was how invested Aaron was in the calling of his brother. His blessing was given to him as a result but he made the work less burdensome and more flexible for Moses. Aaron was one of the destiny helpers of Moses even though he was his brother. 

Conclusion

 

1. Your Past or Perfection does not Matter

First lesson from this is that God does not always pick His leaders because they are prepared or perfect. Aaron in the past had made a golden calf for the people of Israel to worship and in defence, he had said that the cow just walked out of the fire all by itself (Exodus 32:21-24). At the same time, himself and his sister, Miriam had talked against their brother and God's prophet, Moses (Numbers 12:1). If you were God, you definitely wouldn't pick someone like Aaron because of the stain on his integrity. However, God sees beyond the physical and is concerned with the qualities that can help in fulfiling His purpose. This is one reason why many times when leaders disappoint you, you should understand that they are human and have their frailties or that they are working under some influence outside God.

2. Value the Presence of God

Another lesson from the life of Aaron is that his rod only blossomed in the presence of God. Certain things only happen in the presence of God. In Aaron's case, a walking stick came to life in the tabernacle of meeting... Where I meet with you (Numbers 17:4). The presence of God is not necessarily a physical location as we have discussed in this article here, talking about the presence of God. This is why we have to rearrange our priorities as believers and schedule set times to meet with God each day, keeping in mind to be committed until we practically carry the oresence of God everywhere we go.

3. The Night Time is Important

Aaron's rod only grew flowers after the night had passed. The Bible says that sorrow may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. At the same time, in Genesis 1, we read that there was the evening (first) before the morning and then the first day was counted. In the principle of the timelessness and agelessness of God, the morning never comes without the evening. If you observe, God starts every day with a night time experience and that's why you greet "Good morning" by 12:00am. In the same manner, plants also grow and make tangible progress at night. Now, like Aaron, your faith has to blossom but it must first be incubated in the dark and secret place. Real faith only germinates in adversity and unrest and if you try to skip the night process, you lose the opportunity to move into higher realms of faith.

Conclusion

God gifts us with people, and it is important that a believer is sensitive to knowing how or who He sends to you. Like every other Bible character, Aaron's life teaches believers today certain timeless principles that can help in navigating through life. As lessons that should not be discarded, it is necessary for every kingdom minded individual to take these lessons to heart.