Aaron: The First High Priest

Among the towering figures of the Old Testament, Aaron, the elder brother of Moses, occupies a unique and profoundly significant position. Chosen by God Himself, Aaron was consecrated as Israel’s first High Priest, an office of immense responsibility and spiritual weight. His life, marked by both divine favour and human frailty, serves as a vital historical account and a powerful foreshadowing of the perfect High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Understanding Aaron’s role is essential to grasping the intricate tapestry of God’s redemptive plan, culminating in the person and work of our Saviour.

Divine Appointment and Consecration

The call of Aaron to the priesthood was not a human invention but a direct divine command, underscoring the sanctity and exclusive nature of the office. God explicitly instructed Moses concerning his brother: Exodus 28:1 states, "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons." This appointment established a hereditary priesthood, passed down through Aaron's lineage.

The consecration of Aaron and his sons was an elaborate and solemn ceremony, detailed in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8. It involved ritual washings, anointing with holy oil, and the offering of specific sacrifices for atonement and dedication. The anointing oil, poured upon Aaron's head, symbolised the Holy Spirit setting him apart for service. The garments prescribed for the High Priest were not merely ceremonial attire but were rich with symbolic meaning, designed "for glory and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2).

  • The ephod, a richly embroidered vestment, bore two onyx stones on its shoulders, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes, signifying the High Priest's role in bearing the burdens and representation of Israel before God.
  • The breastplate of judgment, worn over the ephod, contained twelve precious stones, each representing a tribe, and within it were the mysterious Urim and Thummim, instruments for discerning God's will.
  • The robe of the ephod, adorned with golden bells and pomegranates, ensured his presence was known in the Most Holy Place, lest he die.
  • The mitre, a turban, bore a golden plate inscribed with "HOLINESS TO THE LORD," a constant reminder of the purity required for approaching a holy God.

These garments, along with the meticulous consecration rituals, emphasised the profound holiness of God and the necessary mediation required for sinful humanity to approach Him.

Roles and Responsibilities of the High Priest

Aaron's office carried immense responsibilities, primarily functioning as the mediator between God and the nation of Israel. His duties were central to Israel's worship and their covenant relationship with the Almighty:

  • Chief Mediator on the Day of Atonement: The most critical duty of the High Priest was performed once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). On this solemn day, Aaron, and subsequently his successors, would enter the Most Holy Place—the very presence of God in the Tabernacle—to make atonement for the sins of the people and for himself. This act was crucial for maintaining the holiness of the Tabernacle and ensuring God's continued presence among His people.
  • Divine Communication: The High Priest was the primary conduit for God's direct revelation to Israel through the Urim and Thummim. When critical decisions were needed, or God's will was sought, the High Priest would consult the Lord using these sacred objects, providing guidance and judgment for the nation (Numbers 27:21).
  • Oversight of Tabernacle Service: Aaron, and later his sons, were responsible for the proper functioning of all Tabernacle services, ensuring that sacrifices were offered correctly, the lamps were tended, and the holy places were maintained according to divine command (Numbers 3:5-10; Numbers 18:1-7). They ensured the sanctity of worship and the adherence to God's detailed instructions.
  • Teaching the Law: The priests were also entrusted with the responsibility of instructing the people in God's statutes and judgments. Leviticus 10:11 commands them to "teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses." They were the guardians and interpreters of divine law for the nation (Deuteronomy 33:10).
  • Blessing the People: The High Priest, along with the priests, was also designated to pronounce the Aaronic blessing upon the children of Israel, a powerful declaration of God's favour and protection (Numbers 6:23-27).

    • Challenges and Failures

    Despite his divine appointment and high office, Aaron was a man subject to human frailties and temptations. His life is not without significant blemishes, reminding us that even God's chosen servants are fallible:

    • The Golden Calf: Perhaps Aaron's most grievous failure occurred shortly after the giving of the Ten Commandments. While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people grew impatient and demanded gods to go before them. Aaron, under pressure, yielded to their demands and fashioned a golden calf, declaring, "These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:4). This act of idolatry was a direct violation of God's law and a profound betrayal of his priestly calling. Though God's wrath burned fiercely, Moses' intercession spared Aaron from immediate destruction, highlighting God's mercy and His unwavering commitment to His chosen office (Deuteronomy 9:20).
    • Murmuring with Miriam: Aaron also joined his sister Miriam in murmuring against Moses concerning his Cushite wife and questioning his unique prophetic authority (Numbers 12:1). God swiftly intervened, striking Miriam with leprosy, but Aaron was spared, perhaps due to his priestly office, though he acknowledged their sin and pleaded for Miriam's healing.
    • Striking the Rock at Meribah: Near the end of their wilderness journey, both Moses and Aaron sinned at Meribah. Instead of speaking to the rock as God commanded, Moses struck it twice in anger, and Aaron, by his presence and apparent assent, shared in the disobedience (Numbers 20:7-12). For this act of unbelief and lack of sanctification of God before the people, neither Moses nor Aaron was permitted to enter the Promised Land.

    These incidents serve as stark reminders that even those ordained by God are not exempt from sin, and that God's judgment, though tempered with mercy, is real for all who disobey.

    God's Vindication and Provision

    Despite Aaron's personal failings, God consistently upheld and vindicated the office of the High Priest, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His chosen institutions. A pivotal moment of vindication occurred during Korah's rebellion, when a challenge arose against the divinely appointed authority of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16). God unequivocally affirmed their leadership, and the earth swallowed Korah and his company.

    To further settle any lingering doubts about Aaron's unique priestly authority, God commanded that each tribal leader present a rod, with Aaron's name inscribed on his. The rods were placed in the Tabernacle overnight, and only Aaron's rod miraculously budded, blossomed, and bore ripe almonds (Numbers 17:8). This undeniable sign from God confirmed Aaron's exclusive right to the priesthood and served as a lasting testimony against rebellion (Numbers 17:10). God’s provision for His chosen servant, even in the face of human weakness and rebellion, underscored His sovereignty and the immutability of His divine appointments.

    Typological Significance: Aaron and Christ

    While Aaron's priesthood was essential for Israel's worship and understanding of sin and atonement, the New Testament reveals that it was merely a shadow of a greater, perfect priesthood to come. The book of Hebrews masterfully expounds upon the superiority of Jesus Christ's priesthood over that of Aaron and his lineage.

    Aaron's priesthood was:

    • Earthly and Temporary: It was established on earth, confined to the Tabernacle/Temple, and passed down through a succession of mortal men who died (Hebrews 7:23).
    • Imperfect and Repetitive: Aaron and his successors had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer for the people's sins (Hebrews 7:27). The sacrifices were also imperfect, requiring continual repetition year after year, signifying that they could not truly take away sins (Hebrews 10:1-4).
    • Limited in Access: Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year, and then only with blood.

    In contrast, Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest, fulfilling and surpassing every aspect of Aaron's office:

    Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

    Hebrews 4:14

    • Eternal and Unchangeable: Christ's priesthood is "after the order of Melchisedec," not dependent on human lineage or death, but on the power of an endless life (Hebrews 7:16, Hebrews 7:24). He lives forever to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).
    • Perfect and Definitive Sacrifice: Christ offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God, a once-for-all sacrifice that perfectly atones for sin, making any further sacrifices unnecessary (Hebrews 9:11-14; Hebrews 10:11-14). He had no sin of His own for which to atone (Hebrews 4:15).
    • Heavenly Sanctuary: Christ ministers in the true, heavenly Tabernacle, not one made with hands (Hebrews 8:1-2). Through His sacrifice, He has opened a new and living way for all believers to boldly approach God's throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19-22).

    Aaron’s life and office, therefore, serve as a foundational lesson in God’s redemptive history, pointing irrevocably to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly accomplished what Aaron’s priesthood could only foreshadow.

    Conclusion

    Aaron's journey from Moses' eloquent spokesman to the first High Priest of Israel is a narrative rich with theological significance. He was God's chosen vessel to establish the Levitical priesthood, an institution vital for Israel's covenant relationship with God. His life highlights the divine origin of the priesthood, the meticulous requirements for approaching a holy God, and the indispensable need for mediation between a sinful people and their righteous Creator.

    Yet, Aaron's personal struggles and failures remind us of the inherent limitations of human leadership, no matter how divinely appointed. His story underscores the truth that no man, however consecrated, can perfectly fulfil the role of mediator. It is precisely these limitations that magnify the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our perfect, eternal, and sinless High Priest. Aaron’s priesthood, with all its grandeur and its shortcomings, faithfully served its purpose: to prepare the way and illuminate the need for the one true and everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, through whom we have perfect access to God.