Douglas Jacoby Podcast

OT Characters: Aaron

Episode Summary

In this episode Douglas teaches on the life of Moses' brother, Aaron. He dives into the complementary role that Aaron played and the things we can learn from his life. He also shares things that we learn about God from his story and how to share those things in a devotional with you kids. We hope you enjoy.

Episode Notes

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.

Hebrew words:

• 'Aharon (pronounced "a-ha-RONE") -- Aaron. Mentioned 353 times in the Bible, only 4x in the NT.
• 'Egel (pronounced "aygul") -- the calf/bull worshipped in Egypt and Canaan. Either translation works.

Further study:

• Passages the podcast covered or referred to:
  • Exodus 7:7 (also Numbers 33:39 and Deuteronomy 34:7) -- three-year age difference between Moses and Aaron
  • Exodus 32 -- focus of this podcast
  • Exodus 4:16, 7:1 -- Aaron as Moses' "prophet"
  • Numbers 12:1ff -- challenge to Moses' authority
  • Deuteronomy 9:20, Numbers 20:12, Numbers 20:28
• Advanced:
  • Genesis 34:25, Exodus 32:26, Numbers 25:8 -- zeal (even to the point of violence) among Levi and his descendants
  • For more on the golden calf (bull), click here and also here.

Some things we learn about God:

• Sometime a leader can be weak and ineffective, and yet remain in his position for many years. God does not force leaders to change, nor does he forcibly remove them even when they are failing.
• Our character and sins do affect our children. Two of Aaron's sons took great liberties in their approach to the priesthood. (Was this the partly caused by Aaron's tendency to back away from a challenge?) The other two were more spiritually solid.
• Although an influential figure, Aaron was more a spokesman (assisting Moses) than the leader of a nation. In accomplishing his will, sometimes the Lord has us rely on others with complementary gifts. He is not looking for a "one-man show."

For kids -- a devotional on Excuses

• Read parts of Exodus 32 and describe the scene.
• Highlight Aaron's lame excuse for the bull idol he had made.
• Talk about other lame excuses.
  • Are they sometimes funny?
  • What does God think?
  • What are some of my own lame excuses for not doing his will?
  • Who am I fooling: others? myself? the Lord?
• For more material on excuses (time allowing), visit Luke 14 (the Parable of the Great Banquet).

Key verses:

• Exodus 32:24 -- weak leadership
• Numbers 12:1ff -- resents Moses' leadership
• Numbers 20:28 -- death, excluded from the land of promise

Next lesson: Miriam