Aaron the High Priest

Aaron was the older brother of Moses. He was from the tribe of Levi. God gave him an important job. He helped Moses speak to Pharaoh. He also became the first high priest of Israel.

Aaron lived at a very important time. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God chose Moses to lead them out. But Moses said he was not a good speaker. So God told Moses that Aaron would speak for him. Aaron was a good speaker. He stood with Moses before Pharaoh.

Aaron saw many wonders. He saw the plagues in Egypt. He watched as God parted the Red Sea. He saw God give the Ten Commandments. He was near the most holy moments in Israel’s story.

Aaron’s life shows how God uses people. Aaron was not perfect. But God still gave him an important job. Aaron stayed close to Moses and helped lead the people. God chose him for a special role.

He was more than just Moses’ helper. Aaron became the leader of worship for Israel. He taught the people how to pray and offer sacrifice. He stood between the people and God. His role pointed to something greater that would come later.

Aaron shows us how even quiet helpers can be very important. God gave him strength for the work he had to do. He worked closely with his brother. Together they helped save God’s people.

When God sent Moses to speak to Pharaoh, Moses was afraid. He told God that he was not good with words. So God said Aaron would speak for him. Aaron went with Moses into the palace of Pharaoh.

Aaron was brave. He stood before the ruler of Egypt. He told Pharaoh what God wanted. He asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free. Pharaoh said no. But Aaron and Moses kept coming back.

God gave signs to Moses and Aaron. Aaron threw down his staff and it turned into a snake. He stretched out his hand and many of the plagues began. The Nile turned to blood. Frogs, gnats, and hail came down. These were signs that God was in charge.

The people saw that Aaron was close to Moses. He shared in Moses’ mission. He was not in charge, but he was faithful. He helped bring the message of freedom. He stood with Moses at each step.

When the people left Egypt, Aaron went with them. He helped lead them through the desert. He helped keep order. He helped explain God’s words to the people.

Aaron showed courage. He was willing to speak when others were afraid. He stayed close to Moses. He listened to God. He helped lead God’s people out of slavery.

God gave Aaron a very special job. He made Aaron the first high priest. This meant Aaron would lead the people in worship. He would offer the sacrifices. He would pray for the people.

God gave Aaron special clothes. He wore a robe, a breastplate, and a headpiece. These were signs of his holy work. They showed that he had a special role. The clothes were made just as God had said.

Aaron could go into the holy places. He offered incense and blood from the sacrifices. He prayed for the people’s sins. He helped the people stay close to God. He taught them how to follow the law.

Aaron’s sons became priests too. They helped him in the work. They had to follow many rules. They had to stay clean. They had to obey God. The priesthood was passed down through Aaron’s family.

Being a priest was serious work. It was not just about prayer. It was also about doing things the right way. Aaron had to follow God’s commands. He had to be careful.

This priesthood was a sign. It pointed to something greater. One day, Jesus would come. He would be the true High Priest. But Aaron’s role helped prepare the way. His service helped teach the people about God.

Aaron did not always do what was right. One time, Moses went up the mountain to speak with God. He was gone for a long time. The people got tired of waiting. They asked Aaron to make them a god.

Aaron gave in to them. He took their gold and made a golden calf. The people danced and worshiped it. This was a sin. They had turned away from God.

When Moses came down, he was very angry. He broke the tablets of the law. He asked Aaron why he did such a thing. Aaron gave excuses. He said the people made him do it. He said the calf just came out of the fire.

This was a sad moment. Aaron had been chosen by God. But he had failed. He was weak. He let the people fall into sin. Still, God did not throw him away. God corrected him but let him continue as priest.

Later, Aaron made other mistakes. One time, he and Miriam spoke against Moses. They complained that Moses had too much power. God was not pleased. Miriam was punished with leprosy. But Aaron asked Moses to pray for her.

Aaron shows us that leaders can fail. Even people close to God can fall into sin. But God is merciful. He gives people another chance. Aaron was corrected, but he was not cast off.

Aaron grew old in the desert. He served as high priest for many years. But the time came for him to die. God told Moses to bring Aaron up to Mount Hor.

Moses took Aaron and his son Eleazar up the mountain. There, Moses took off Aaron’s priestly robes. He put them on Eleazar. This showed that Eleazar would now be the high priest.

Then Aaron died on the mountain. The people mourned for him for thirty days. He was buried there. It was a quiet end to a life of service.

Aaron’s line continued through his sons. The priesthood stayed in his family. This was the start of the priestly line in Israel. All the priests came from Aaron’s family.

Aaron’s story was remembered. He was honored by the people. They knew he had served well. They knew he had helped lead them.

Even though he made mistakes, Aaron stayed faithful. He listened to God. He followed the path God gave him. He shows us that it is possible to serve even if we are weak.

Aaron is important for Christians. He was the first high priest. His work was a picture of what Jesus would one day do. Aaron offered sacrifices for sin. Jesus offered Himself.

Aaron went into the holy place once a year. Jesus opened the way to heaven forever. Aaron prayed for the people. Jesus prays for us always. Aaron wore holy robes. Jesus rose in glory.

The Letter to the Hebrews talks about this. It says Jesus is the true High Priest. Aaron was just a sign. He showed what was to come. His priesthood was a shadow of Christ’s priesthood.

The Church honors Aaron for his role. He is listed in the Roman Martyrology on July 1. This means we remember him as a holy man. He was not perfect, but he served God’s people.

Aaron reminds us that God can use anyone. He calls people to lead, to pray, and to serve. He gives them strength to do what is right.

Aaron’s story is part of our story too. He stands at the start of the long line of worship. That line leads all the way to Jesus. And through Jesus, we are brought near to God.

He was the older brother of Moses. So he probably got blamed when they were kids.

When God called Moses at the burning bush, Moses said, “I’m not a good speaker.” So God said, “Fine, take Aaron. He’ll talk for you.” Holy tag team!

Aaron became Moses’ voice. He faced Pharaoh and said, “Let my people go!” Again. And again. And again. Pharaoh still said nope.

He helped bring the plagues on Egypt. Frogs, flies, water into blood—Aaron was there for all of it.

When they escaped Egypt, Aaron led worship while Moses went up Mount Sinai to talk with God.

But… then came the golden calf. Oops.

While Moses was gone, the people got impatient. They asked Aaron for a god they could see. So he melted their gold and made a shiny cow. Bad move, Aaron.

When Moses came down and saw the golden calf, he was not happy. Aaron said, “I just threw the gold in the fire and—poof!—out came this calf!” (Nice try.)

God still forgave him, and Aaron became the first High Priest of Israel. That means he led worship in the tabernacle and offered sacrifices for the people.

He wore special robes with 12 gemstones—one for each tribe of Israel. It was like a holy uniform with sparkle.

He also wore a golden headband that said, “Holy to the Lord.” Kind of like a priestly superhero badge.

Only Aaron could go into the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement. Serious stuff.

He carried a staff that miraculously sprouted flowers. Try that with a regular walking stick!

One time, people complained about Moses and Aaron’s leadership. So God made Aaron’s staff bloom overnight to prove he was chosen. Floral victory!

His sons became priests too, but two of them—Nadab and Abihu—offered “strange fire” and were struck down. Holy job = serious responsibility.

When he died, he was 123 years old. He died on Mount Hor and was buried there. His priestly robes were passed to his son Eleazar.

The people mourned him for 30 days. That’s a long goodbye—he was deeply loved.

His name means “mountain of strength.” Fitting for a guy who stood by Moses and carried the people’s prayers.