Bible character overview - Aaron

Written by: My Store Admin

June 3, 2024

Time to read 5 min

Introduction:

Welcome to an insightful character overview of Aaron. Here you'll learn about who Aaron was, what he did, and his strengths and weaknesses. Also, we have provided questions related to the story of Aaron to provoke thought. They can also be used for personal/small-group studies.

Who was Aaron from the Bible?

Key facts

When: roughly around 1500 B.C
Where: Around Egypt
Name meaning: ‘exalted’ or ‘strong’

Glimpse: Aaron was the brother of the great Moses and helped lead the Israelites out of Egypt. His story reveals the highs and lows of his leadership, but evidently, the calling God had placed on his life. He witnessed great miracles but also crumbled at times under great pressure. But in the end, we see how God elevated him to the role and position that he was called into.

Spokesman

After the burning bush experience, Aaron was appointed as Moses's spokesman. This is evident in Exodus 4:14, where Moses is reluctant to confront Pharaoh due to his speech difficulties. The Lord responds to Moses's hesitation by saying, “What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and he will be glad to see you.”.

Throughout their time in Egypt, during the Ten Plagues, and through the wilderness, Aaron stood by Moses as his spokesman and right-hand man. During this period, Aaron was also appointed as the first high priest of Israel, making him the first priest in Israel's history. It is from this role that the Aaronic Blessing originates, as described in Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”.

Questions

→ Do you ever feel like you're not good enough?

→ Who would Moses have been if he rejected God's offer out of fear?

"The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”"

Exodus 4:11-12

The golden calf

However, this strong partnership faced a significant challenge when Moses went to spend time with God on Mount Sinai. The Israelites, feeling abandoned and vulnerable, turned to spiritual manipulation. They began to desire new gods and demanded that Aaron, their temporary leader, make one for them. Yielding to social pressure, Aaron created an idol in the shape of a golden calf for the people of Israel, which provoked both God and Moses to great anger.

Exodus 32:4 describes the incident: "He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, 'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.'".

Questions

→ Why did Aaron succumb/give in to the pressure of the Israelites?

→ Why is it important to have a strong leader? As a leader, should you do everything the people ask of you?

" Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.''''

Exodus 32:7

Pride & Insecurity

Later, Aaron, along with his sister Miriam, spoke against Moses for marrying a foreign woman. They questioned Moses' exclusive role, asking, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t He also spoken through us?” (Numbers 12:2). As a result, Miriam was struck with leprosy, a serious disease, but she was healed after Moses prayed to God on her behalf.

During this period, discontent with Moses and Aaron's leadership led to an uprising among the Israelites. To resolve this, God instructed Moses to collect twelve stalves, one from each tribe's leader. The staff that budded would indicate God's chosen leader. Aaron’s staff, representing the Levites, miraculously budded overnight, signifying that Aaron was divinely appointed to his position. His staff was placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a testament to God’s choice and a reminder for those who might rebel.

Aaron continued to lead alongside Moses until his death at Mount Hor at the age of 123.

Questions

→ Do you think it was difficult for Aaron to come under the leadership of his younger brother?

→ Why is humility a key characteristic of a great leader?

“ The Lord said to Moses, “Put back Aaron’s staff in front of the ark of the covenant law, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die.” Moses did just as the Lord commanded him.”

Numbers 17:10-11

Strengths:

Great speaker: As the spokesman of Moses, Aaron was obviously a great speaker and used his gift well
Called by God: Aaron was called to be the first Levitical priest of Israel and to lead side by side with Moses

Weaknesses:

Insecurity: We see in Numbers 12 that Aaron becomes prideful and bitter about the fact that God had spoken through him and not just Moses. There are other examples too
Pressure: Under pressure, Aaron crumbled and gave the people what they wanted which led them into idolatry and meant that God almost wiped out the whole nation

Conclusion

We learn from Aaron that we are all human and will therefore make mistakes. But we must not become prideful and therefore turn away from God. Aaron potentially became insecure about the fact that Moses had the top leadership position over Israel, however, we see multiple times that Aaron was not cut out for the job, for example, the golden calf. We must accept what we are given and then do it in complete obedience and humility.

''For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life''

John 3:16

If you want to buy our brand new Bible based card game, you can check out more on our store

Visit our store

The Author: OluKoye Williams

Koye Williams is the creator of the international game biblebumps. His mission is to see the people of the Bible brought to life in a new and exciting way whilst also providing opportunities to spend quality time with the family.

Do you have more character studies?

We have 42 character studies with plans to increase this in the future. Go to the bottom of the page and you'll find a link to related studies.

What is your new Bible based card game?

Biblebumps is a new bible based card game that brings 42 of your favourite people of the Bible to life. With 2 game modes, stunning design and a ton of educational information, this is not something to be missed.

What is the gospel?

We are all sinners who need a savior. Jesus came and died for our sins that we may live with him for all of eternity. put your faith in Jesus and he wont let you down.