Essential Lessons From Aaron’s Death in the Bible

1. The death of Aaron occurred at this time because of his failure with Moses at the waters of Meribah.

1) Look back to verses 6-13

2) Aaron failed to do what God told him and Moses to do.

3) As a result, Aaron was not going to enter the promised land.

4) His office was to be placed upon his son, Eleazar.

2. This should show us that God takes sin seriously.

1) Isaiah 59:2

2) Romans 6:23

3) Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

3. We should take sin seriously as well.

1) Psalm 97:10 says, “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil:”

2) Psalm 119:104 “Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.”

3) Proverbs 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”

1. Aaron was the first high priest of the children of Israel (Leviticus 8:12; 21:10).

1) He went into the holy of holies to sprinkle the blood of atonement each year (Exodus 30:10).

2) He offered it for the people and for himself.

3) But, even so, Aaron died.

2. In the book of Hebrews 7:22-27 we read, “And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.”

3. Notice then Hebrews 8:1-2 “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.”

4. We have a better High Priest today.

1. Who was Aaron?

1) Aaron was a leader of his people.

2) He was the brother of Moses.

3) He was the high priest.

4) But he was still a man and men must die.

2. Genesis 3:19 “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

3. Job 30:23 “For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.”

4. Psalm 90:10 “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”

5. Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die?.”

6. Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

1. When all the congregation of Israel had heard that Aaron was dead, they mourned for him 30 days.

2. Death affects every single person upon the face of the earth.

3. It even affected Jesus, our Lord.

4. Perhaps the most tender verse in the scriptures is, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).

5. The Bible says that Jesus was made like his brethren. Hebrews 2:17 “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”

6. Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

1. We noticed who Aaron was. (High Priest, brother and spokesperson for Moses, Beloved of the people, leader).

2. Yet, he still died.

3. The sin which Aaron committed was not excused because of his position, power, or prestige.

4. Deut. 10:17 “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:”

5. Acts 10:34 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

6. Romans 2:11 “For there is no respect of persons with God.”

7. 1 Peter 1:17 “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:”

8. God’s punishment of Aaron was done without partiality.

9. And Aaron’s forgiveness was without partiality as well–it came through the same source that we are forgiven–the blood of Christ.

10. Hebrews 9:12-15 “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption?. And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”