The Death of Aaron

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Previously on the chosen people. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: My Lord, I'm not an eloquent man. 00:00:09 Speaker 3: I've always been slow of speech and tongue. How can I speak with this feeble mouth of mine. 00:00:17 Speaker 4: Your brother Aaron walks among the people. He is an orator of skill and a man of the people. I have already instructed him to meet you. When he sees you, it will please his heart. You shall speak to him, and he shall proclaim on your behalf. I shall command you, and you shall command him. He shall be your mouth, and you shall be like a god to him. 00:00:50 Speaker 5: Pace Lord, please show me what I show me what I can do to atone for the people. 00:00:58 Speaker 6: Help me guide them. Shouldn't they turn away from mer sin? There has to be another way. 00:01:05 Speaker 5: Please show me. 00:01:08 Speaker 7: The Lord has confirmed that Aaron, son of Amram, a descendant of Levi himself, is the high Priest of Israel. Let no one doubt the Lord's. 00:01:18 Speaker 2: Choice, for he has spoken through this definitive sign. 00:01:24 Speaker 4: Moses has kept us from anything good. 00:01:27 Speaker 6: He would have us wandering the desert until we all die. 00:01:31 Speaker 1: And just like our parents, after years of wandering the desert waiting for the faithless to pass, this new generation dared to echo the same ungrateful complaints of their forbears. 00:01:45 Speaker 4: You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the source the rock while they want, and it will yield its water. 00:01:55 Speaker 3: Listen, he rebels, must erin, and I bring water out of this rock for you. We will show you where true authority lies. 00:02:05 Speaker 1: Anger surged unchecked through Moses, finally unleashed. As he spoke with ferocity to the ungrateful crowd. He raised his hand and struck the rock with the sprouted staff. 00:02:18 Speaker 4: You understand. You understand that you did not trust me to demonstrate mine holiness in the sight of all Israel. You took it upon yourself. You acted accordingly to your own authority. Because of this act of rebellion, neither of you will bring this assembly into the land I have given them. 00:02:51 Speaker 8: When your own brother bars the way, where do you turn? Sell, oh, my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel. A'my l extein with it, international Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen people. Our people stand on the edge of Edome. The road has been long marked by rebellion and miracles alike. From the bitter waters of murray Bah, where we question the Lord's provision to the brink of yet another challenge, Moses sends a message to our brothers in Edome, asking for a simple passage through their land. No harm to their fields, no theft from their wells, just a step closer to the promised land. But Edome refuses. 00:03:34 Speaker 1: What will we do? 00:03:35 Speaker 8: And the path forward is blocked when even family turns us away? What does it mean to be turned away by your own brother? This is not a story of nations at war. This is a story of family. Esau and Jacob, Edome and Israel, the descendants of a shared ancestor, now on opposite sides. And the question that I find myself asking is what lies at the heart of Edom's refusal? Fear, mistrust, and beneath it all may be something deeper. The story of two brothers, one who stole a blessing and the other who lived with the loss. And now Edom, made up of ESA's descendants, refuses to forgive. 00:04:22 Speaker 1: The King of Edom stroked his wiry beard and bellied laugh. 00:04:32 Speaker 3: Now Ah, read it again. 00:04:38 Speaker 1: The chiefs and advisers roared in response, eager to hear the Israelite leaders please once more Ishamar Aaron's youngest son stood before them, biting his cheek to keep from showing his humiliation. This was an utter disgrace. Beside him, Girshl, Moses' eldest son, nudged him with a warning glance. They couldn't afford to provoke these men, no matter how taunting their words, for they had no authority to start a war. Neither wanted to become the first casualties of such a conflict. Ihamar took a steadying breath, cleared his throat, and began to read again. 00:05:20 Speaker 9: We will go on the main road, and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. 00:05:28 Speaker 4: There will be no problem. Only let us ah. 00:05:33 Speaker 2: No, no, read the first letter again. 00:05:37 Speaker 7: That's my favorite. Oh oh ah no, it's tuggled by heartstrings. 00:05:48 Speaker 2: Tug God, that make me weep with brother affection for your kids' hardships. 00:05:57 Speaker 1: Isthamar stared incredulously at the king. Gersham nudged him again and shot him a threatening look. If Amar shuffled the parchment in his hands and found the initial message they had been sent to deliver on their first visit to Edom. 00:06:14 Speaker 9: This is what your brother Israel says, You know, all the hardships that have overtaken us. 00:06:19 Speaker 6: Our ancestors suffered slavery in Egypt. 00:06:22 Speaker 9: He cried out to the lord, and he heard our plea and brought us out of Egypt. We are in Ketdish, on the border of your territory. Please let us travel. 00:06:35 Speaker 10: Through your land. 00:06:36 Speaker 9: We won't travel through any field or vineyard, or drink any well water. 00:06:40 Speaker 2: You will travel the King's highway. 00:06:41 Speaker 4: We won't turn to the right or the left. 00:06:43 Speaker 7: Until we've traveled through your territory. 00:06:46 Speaker 6: There you have it. 00:06:47 Speaker 1: That was the first message. 00:06:50 Speaker 6: Again. 00:06:50 Speaker 2: Watch your tone, priest, and speaking to a king. 00:06:56 Speaker 7: We won't turn to the right of the left until we've traveled through your territory. 00:07:03 Speaker 9: Please, your highness, you've heard our message. Now will you allow us to return to our fathers. 00:07:10 Speaker 1: The King of Edom sat back on his throne and abruptly stopped laughing. Ishamo didn't know what to make of this maniac. For Edom, I said, crowned King, he was a madman. Ishamar shifted uneasily on his feet, but held his ground. He could feel gersh On doing the same beside him. 00:07:28 Speaker 7: You've asked for safe passage through my legs and offered. 00:07:33 Speaker 2: To hey, when I want to know his name? Why why now? And answer me this? 00:07:42 Speaker 7: How is it that you're claim ownership Cain? Would you strip it from its current bonents? Your measly pause. 00:07:52 Speaker 2: I've never touched the soils of Canaan, yet it's somehow your own land. You based this on the promise of a long did patriar. 00:08:06 Speaker 7: You know we come from Abraham, as will we come from Esau, but you don't see me piercing everywhere and claiming it's mine, just like your. 00:08:16 Speaker 2: Ancestors, Jacob, you coming in to take whatever you want. Why should we share our kingdom with you? That was not rhetorical, Priest answer me. 00:08:32 Speaker 1: Isamar flinched at the harshness of the King's tone, but knew he had to respond, even if it meant inviting more mockery. Returning after their initial rejection had been a mistake, but Moses had insisted. Ihamar suspected Moses was desperate to regain the people's trust after the near rebellion before drawing water from the rock, but he would not reveal that weakness to the king. 00:08:57 Speaker 6: Yes, you're hoping we get on your kingship and pass safely through your lands on our way north to Canaan. 00:09:06 Speaker 7: But Cadan lies directly north of you, where your people are camped. 00:09:12 Speaker 2: Now, priest edam is east? 00:09:15 Speaker 7: Or did you never learn to read mats? 00:09:18 Speaker 6: In Egypt? 00:09:19 Speaker 1: The king knew about their devastating defeat at the hands of both the Canaanites and the Amalekites thirty eight years ago. He knew that was the reason they feared to go due north into Canaan, the reason they were seeking an indirect route. But he was going to make him say it. 00:09:37 Speaker 11: You know why, oh I do. The conquest is off to a splendid start. What'd you say one defeat sets your people back thirty eight years? 00:09:50 Speaker 7: Oh, you'll be conquerors in no time, just not by way of edom. Go now deliver my response to Moses. Your people may not travel. 00:10:07 Speaker 6: Through our country. 00:10:09 Speaker 7: If you do, we'll gut you like the pigs you refuse to eat. 00:10:23 Speaker 1: Moses drummed his gnarled fingers over the maps spread across the table in his tent, surrounded by his war council. Beside him were Aaron and the new generation of leaders, Eliezza and Ithamar, Aaron's sons representing the priestly Order. Gersham and Eliezza, moses sons representing civil leadership, and Joshua, his most trusted aid. Ithamar and Gersham had just returned from their meeting with the King and recited the full dismissive message. Ithamar was still ranting about how poorly it went. 00:10:58 Speaker 6: It was a complete waste of time. 00:11:00 Speaker 9: Time he never had any intention of helping us. 00:11:03 Speaker 1: His brother Elieza took a deep breath and responded to his outburst, trying to calm him down. 00:11:09 Speaker 5: Peace, brother, what's done is done. There's nothing we can do about it. Now, we must find a different way forward. 00:11:16 Speaker 1: If Amara was still fuming and Elieza was trying desperately to keep the peace. Moses frowned at his brother in the corner, but Aaron barely even looked up at his sons arguing in front of their war council. Joshua broke the tense silence at Moses' words. 00:11:34 Speaker 6: We must find another way north. Thank you, Joshua. Yes to the matter at hand. 00:11:46 Speaker 5: What if we were to attempt the King's road? Caravans and even militaries take that road all the time. I don't understand why we are the exception. It's simply because we asked. 00:11:58 Speaker 1: Loath to be left out. Ithamar was quick with a response and an eye roll at his brother's question. 00:12:04 Speaker 9: The Edamites already told us in no uncertain terms, they would meet us in battle. 00:12:10 Speaker 1: Joshua, the emerging tactician among them, inserted his knowledge of the surrounding terrain. 00:12:16 Speaker 6: The entrance to the King's road from here is through a narrow pass in those mountains. They would have been able to defend it and rout us quite easily if we had attempted to do so. Edam is wise to be suspicious of us. Edam is not foolish. They know. Even if we reimbursed them for their losses, it would not be enough to replenish what they lost before the harvest season. 00:12:36 Speaker 1: Moses eyed Aaron again in the corner of the tent, wondering if he would engage, but he remained despondent. It had been a month since Miriam passed, and then only a few weeks since the Lord had made his devastating judgment. Moses and Aaron would not enter the promised land, but the other men around this table would. Moses would make sure of it and prepare them in whatever way he could. 00:13:05 Speaker 5: I had hoped that hearing our plight and drawing on our shared lineage with Esol's descendants would sway their minds. 00:13:15 Speaker 6: We will find a different way, Lord Moses. 00:13:17 Speaker 1: A commotion outside the tent drew the men's attention. A moment later, a messenger burst into the tent. It was the Edomites. Their army of over five hundred had been spotted at a distance. They were stalled at the boundary, holding fast and ready for battle. The men all sprang to their feet, and all eyes went to Moses to determine what they should do next. Joshua interjected before Moses had a chance to think of a response to. 00:13:49 Speaker 6: Caleb of trad Judah, to pull our men back at the pair defense, a pull for orders, and spread the word for the shepherds to bring the flocks and clothes. 00:13:58 Speaker 1: The messenger ran off to do as he was told. Moses looked at Joshua in surprise. He had truly become a confident and capable leader. 00:14:07 Speaker 6: That's not jumped any conclusions. I would bet they're posturing themselves. Want to reinforce the message they sent back with Imar. 00:14:14 Speaker 1: Geesham Ifamar frowned. He was not so sure. 00:14:18 Speaker 6: What if they decide to march forward, would then then we handle it. But I've studied edom. They've got soldiers, sure, but they're no warriors. The focus is the tolls, keeping their stretch of the King's Highway in check, not campaigns. But the right move would push them back easily. 00:14:37 Speaker 1: If themar and Elieza both looked to Joshua, surprised at the confidence with which he had spoken. Gone was the attendant to Moses who kept to the shadows. Here was a general of war. Moses eyebrows rose in approval. This was the man he selected all those years ago to lead that very first battle. This was perhaps why Joshua continued, unaware of the newfound respect that was growing on his captive audience's faces. 00:15:09 Speaker 6: But the real question is if we engage them in battle and press north, do we want to be fighting a war on two fronts. This is not a wise course of action. We should not engage. 00:15:20 Speaker 1: Aaron, who had been silent throughout their entire meeting, surprised Moses further by finally speaking up. 00:15:27 Speaker 5: Joshua is right. 00:15:30 Speaker 1: Everyone in the tent was silent. The aged Aaron propped himself up and raised a finger to them. His voice, steady, filled with conviction. 00:15:39 Speaker 5: Eden is not our enemy, but if we treat them like one, then we will have a catastrophe on our hands. Answer me, this, did the Lord promise us victory over Aden? 00:15:54 Speaker 1: Everyone shook their heads. 00:15:56 Speaker 5: And why bother marching? If our God hasn't called, we shall remain. 00:16:06 Speaker 1: Joshua's assessment was correct Edam's army remained on the border and watched as Israel packed up an edge slowly northward along the Atharim Road. Aaron had faithfully overseen the transportation of the tabernacle. He was careful to instruct Elieza in everything he did, knowing that it would all fall to him one day. One day, very soon, Aaron feared. The failure at Kadesh after Miriam's death had been a blow. Aaron had experienced failure before, but somehow the finality of this consequence was something he could just not shake. Aaron was not ashamed to admit he was lost in grief over it in the days that followed. But then the most miraculous thing happened. He found acceptance. He sensed his time was drawing near and his duty would be finished at last. Aaron knew the generation who would take the promised Land would need to have more heart and vigor than Aaron possessed at his age. He was tired. When he was released from the task of taking the Promised Land with Israel, he was finally able to embrace it, and as he embraced the bone deep weariness, acceptance came. At last. Aaron would soon rest. Moses had not yet accepted it. Aaron chuckled to himself. 00:17:38 Speaker 12: No, No, Moses is nowhere near acceptance. He refuses to acknowledge that our duty draws to a close. Every minute that passes brings us closer to rest. 00:17:55 Speaker 1: Rather than acceptance, Aaron instead watched his brother double down on preper rations and plans to move Israel forward into conquest as quickly as possible, as if the moment of their deaths was drawing nearer every second, which Aaron chuckled again, was not wrong. 00:18:13 Speaker 10: Moses fierce the time we have left, and rushes around in urgency and hurry, burdening himself with a standard will simply never meet. 00:18:24 Speaker 6: When will he realize We've done enough? We did all we could do. It was not enough, but God is enough. 00:18:36 Speaker 1: We never had to be, And so Aaron watched Moses watching him out of the corner of his eye, knowing that Moses didn't understand his aloofness, but he would in time. Aaron had accepted his fate and would rather spend time preparing his sons for their roles in Israel's future. That morning, on their trek north, Aaron saw it and knew. As the hours marched forward, its peak grew, and soon they were in the shadow of the mountain. Aaron stared up at it and sighed the views from the top would be stunning. Aaron beheld the country of Edom and the vast wilderness of Zin, the land that had become his home these last forty years. He smirked and nodded his head. It was as good a place as any to die. Aaron felt at peace over the next day, almost as if he was experiencing the events outside of his own body. But Aaron was not afraid. The Lord came upon him and Moses and told Moses what Aaron already knew. He was going to die on the mountain before them. They were to take Elieza to the top and symbolically transfer Aaron's priestly power to him. The inauguration of Israel's next generation, the generation that would take up the promise. Aaron found he did not know what to say to his son or his brother in these final moments. There were so many things to say, so instead of forcing something profound or strained, Aaron enjoyed the comforting silence found in walking with the ones he loved. When they reached the summit of the mountain, Moses helped Aaron remove his priestly garments. Together, they helped Eliza don the tunic, the ephod, and the robes equipped with the breastplate and all the insignia, and tied the sash about his waist. Finally, Aaron lifted the turban fixed with the holy diadem, proclaiming the words wholly to the Lord off his own head. As he held it before him, he felt the weight of the office melt away. Elieza bowed his head for his father, and Aaron placed it on him. Aaron looked at his empty hands and plain clothes and realized he had nothing else to give his son. His eyes brimmed with tears as he beheld the man his son had become. No not a man, a high priest, a man set apart for the Lord a man to guide and purify Israel, so that she would be a people who would be worthy of the calling of God, so that they might become a holy priesthood themselves. One day Aaron smiled through his tears and found he did have a few words left to say. He gave his son the only thing he still possess'd his blessing, and he spoke the blessing he had been taught to speak over Israel so long ago. 00:21:51 Speaker 5: May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. 00:22:00 Speaker 6: And be gracious unto you. 00:22:03 Speaker 5: Made the Lord look at you with favor, and give you peace. 00:22:07 Speaker 6: My son. 00:22:09 Speaker 1: Aaron's breaths became less laboured and more steady. As he sat on that hill, the sun's harsh rays became mild against the whistling wind. Aaron looked away from his brother and son and tilted his cheek upward. It is time, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Memories flashed before his weary eyes. Images of holding Moses, that fateful knight. Pharaoh's men came, Images of his father standing between him and the soldiers, Images of a lifetime under the toil of slavery, Images of the Lord performing wonders to free them. Aaron saw his moments of great faith and tragic failures rush around him, and then, as clear as the sunset casts skating before him, Aaron could see the future, a nation set apart by the Lord, a free people, a redeemed people had chosen people. Then, with a warm embrace and a gentle nudge forward, Aaron was ushered into eternity. Moses buried his brother on the top of Mount how and when he was finished, he made his way back down the mountain with Elieza, the new High Priest of Israel. The people had mourned Aaron for thirty days, and once their mourning was over, they continued their journey north along the Athim Road, following the border of the country of Edom, aiming to end up on the southeast corner of the Salt Sea. Once they got there, Canaan would lie directly to the west. If they were bold enough to enter, or if they should venture further east, they could try and skirt their way between the borders of Edom and Moab. The way was treacherous. They would have to go up and around the Salt Sea and enter Canaan from the north the Aradites had captured some of their men and were holding them hostage. Moses once again found himself debating diplomacy and war strategy, with Israel's next generation becoming a welcome and growing influence in their council meetings. Joshua suggested a plan. 00:24:37 Speaker 6: We have to assume if Edam knows were on the move, all our enemies will we have a bigger army. We moved slowly. This was a preemptive strike, maybe even at the treent like edom a Rod knows that we are not at war with anyone. But yet they attack us and take prisoners. Perhaps they mean to taunt us or scare us from entering their territory again, or. 00:25:00 Speaker 9: Or do they mean to finish where they started thirty eight years ago? 00:25:04 Speaker 1: Well, technically we started it. 00:25:07 Speaker 6: Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for war. 00:25:10 Speaker 1: They seem intent our phyllising in either way. Eliza cut in decisively and interrupted his brother. 00:25:16 Speaker 5: Enough with your cynicism, I Mar, it's not helpful, And Joshua, there will be more battles to come. 00:25:22 Speaker 6: This one was a skirmish. 00:25:25 Speaker 1: Moses looked up at Eliza, his new high priest, standing at his full height before them. A new found assurance had settled in him. 00:25:34 Speaker 5: If we want to be haunted by our past and fine. 00:25:37 Speaker 6: Let it be our teacher. Why did the campaign against the Canaanites fail? 00:25:42 Speaker 5: Why were we crushed against the walls of a rod Our forefathers went without the presence. 00:25:47 Speaker 6: Of the Lord? 00:25:49 Speaker 5: I remember the ark of the cousin had sat idle in Kadesh. Will They ventured up without a second thought. No one thought to pray and ask the Lord to be with them, thought about anything but the fear, and that is why they failed. 00:26:04 Speaker 1: Eliza had their attention with that. No one challenged him, not even Moses. It seemed that Aaron had prepared him well for the office. Bolstered by that confidence, Elieza laid out his plan. 00:26:18 Speaker 6: I propose we changed that. Joshua. 00:26:21 Speaker 5: Draw up your plans and make the changes you need to our defenses. But first, let us pray us the Lord to be with us, and let us go a step further. And remember the warnings he gave about conquering the land of Canaan. We must make a holy vow. If the Lord should hand our enemy over to us, we must completely destroy their city. No half measures. 00:26:46 Speaker 6: We cannot allow ourselves to be led astray or tempted to follow their ways. Now let us go. 00:26:54 Speaker 5: Let us go and defeat our enemies and win back our captives. 00:26:58 Speaker 1: Beaming with a proof and paternal pride, Moses rallied the men to whom it is. The men in the tent patted Eliezer on the back and said to his instructions. The people enthusiastically accepted the vow to destroy Arad Shaud. The Lord handed over to them. Joshua arranged the army and made the battle plans for their attack. The chosen people, led by their fearless commander Joshua, marched against their enemies. All the posturing and threats would end here. Joshua wanted a decisive declaration that the children of Israel were not to be trifled with. They marched, they ran, and they fought tooth and nail to the very end. The Lord was before them, his arms strong against the Aradites and Edomites. Moses sagged in relief to hear they had won finally a victory at long last. Perhaps this truly was the start of a new beginning for Israel. 00:28:12 Speaker 8: Edom refuses to forget, and that is the tragedy to carry the weight of an old wound and let it shape your future, and borrow your brother from the path. How often do we cling to old grievances, letting the past dictate the present. But in the story of Israel and Eddome, we see that to turn away from forgiveness is to turn away from healing. Now, let's talk about Aaron, the priest, the mediator, the one who stood between the people and God. The Bible tells us when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him for thirty days. But why didn't the Bible say the whole community mourned for Aarin, every single person. The Bible doesn't say that about anybody else. Well, the great Sage hill El said, be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace, pursuing peace, and drawing people closer to the Torah. The Bible and Jewish tradition actually shares examples of how Aaron pursued peace. You see, when Aaron saw people in dispute, he would go to each one separately, without the other one knowing, and say to each one, see how your fellow, your friend regrets and feels terrible about having wronged you. He asked me to come to you so that you would forgive him, and then the next time the two people met, they would embrace and hug and cry and be happy and apologize. This is why every single person warned the death of Aaron, because he was a genuine peacemaker between people in dispute, even between husband and wife. And even today we see how precious shalom peace is to the chosen people. Now, Aaron's death comes at the border of Edom, at the very place where Israel was rejected. What does it say about our journey that this is where Aaron's story ends. Perhaps it's a reminder that no leader is eternal, that even the greatest among us must pass the torch. Erin's death signals a transition, not just for him, but for all of Israel. The generation of the wilderness is fading and the new generation is rising. The priestly garments are passed from father to son, from one era to the next. Aaron's death is not just the death of a man. It's the closing of a chapter. Aarin, like Moses, will never set foot in the Promised Land. His journey is complete, and yet Israel must continue. Israel, fresh from the loss of Erin, is suddenly attacked by the Canaanites. There's no pause, no time to mourn. It feels almost unfair, but the Bible rarely gives us neat convenient timelines. Life is rarely tidy, and God's word reflects that truth. What stands out here is that God grants Israel victory not in the moment of strength, but in a moment of weakness. Psalm one seven puts it beautifully. His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior. The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Israel doesn't win because they are strong, when because they cry out to God, and in their obedience he delivers them. It's a reminder that God is with us wherever we stand. Whether we stand tall or feel utterly fragile, we just need to stand with God. In fact, it's often in our weakest moments that His presence becomes the clearest. I'm often inspired by the words of Dietrich Bonhaffer, Christian pastor who supported his brothers and sisters and was executed by the Nazis because of it. Pastor Bonhaffer touched on what we've been talking about today when he wrote, God does not give us everything we want, but he does fulfill his promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to himself. Victory comes not from our own power, but from our trust in Gods. 00:32:23 Speaker 1: You can listen to The Chosen People with Isle Eckstein ad free by downloading and subscribing to the Prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltefianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paul Lanier, Robin van Ettin, Kayler Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. 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