Saturday 16th September
Read Numbers 20:22-29
“The whole Israelite community set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. 23 At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 24 ‘Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Call Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there.’
27 Moses did as the Lord commanded: they went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain, 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days.” (NIVUK)
There are two things we learn from Aaron’s death. First, the Lord fulfils His word. Aaron did not enter the land because of the rebellion at Meribah. Second, the Lord is gracious to His people. They have lost Aaron, a great and respected person, for whom they mourn for four times longer than normal (v29). But, in the presence of many witnesses (v27), they see Moses and Eleazar, wearing Aaron’s garments, come down from the mountain. There is loss but there is also continuity. The Lord will continue to provide someone to intercede for His people.
Such ‘succession planning’ for God’s people is important if we are to remain in right relationship with Him. When Paul wrote to Timothy, towards the end of his life, the importance of passing on the treasure that is the gospel faithfully to others is at the front of his mind. “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:1-2) (NIVUK). Who can you pass on the good gospel message too?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HGhZlBBMho
