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. I've always been slow of speech and tongue. How can I speak with this feeble mouth of mine. 00:00:17 Speaker 3: 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 4: Pace Lord, please show me what I show me what I can do to atone for the people. Help me guide them. Shouldn't they turn away from Mercin There has to be another way. 00:01:05 Speaker 5: Please show me. 00:01:08 Speaker 2: 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 choice, for he has spoken through this definitive sign. 00:01:24 Speaker 3: Moses has kept us from anything good. 00:01:27 Speaker 5: 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 3: 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 2: 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 3: You understand. You understand that you did not trust me to demonstrate mine your 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. 00:02:49 Speaker 6: Click the link of the description to grow closer to God. There you'll find daily prayers, Bible plans, sleep stories, and so much more, all on the prey dot com app the description to get started. 00:03:04 Speaker 1: The King of Edom stroked his wiry beard and belly. 00:03:08 Speaker 7: Laughter. 00:03:14 Speaker 5: Now Ah read it again. 00:03:20 Speaker 1: The chiefs and advisers roared in response, eager to hear the Israelite leaders. Please once more Ithamar, Aaron's youngest son, stood before them, biting his cheek to keep from showing his humiliation. This was an utter disgrace. Beside him, gersha On, Moses's 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. Ithamar took a steadying breath, cleared his throat, and began to read again. 00:04:02 Speaker 8: We will go on the main road, and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. 00:04:11 Speaker 5: There will be no problem. 00:04:12 Speaker 2: Only let us all read the first letter again. That's my favorite. Oh oh ah, no, it's tuggled by heart strings. Talk God, that make me weep with brother affection for your kids' hardships. 00:04:39 Speaker 1: Isthamar stared incredulously at the king. Gershel nudged him again and shot him a threatening look. Isamar shuffled the parchment in his hands and found the initial message they had been sent to deliver on their first visit to Edom. 00:04:56 Speaker 8: This is what your brother Israel says. You know, all the hardships that have overtaken us. Our ancestors suffered slavery in Egypt. He cried out to the Lord, and he heard our plea and brought us out of Egypt. We are in Kaddish, on the border of your territory. 00:05:16 Speaker 1: Please let us travel. 00:05:17 Speaker 3: Through your land. 00:05:18 Speaker 8: We won't travel through any field or vineyard, or drink any well water. 00:05:22 Speaker 9: You will travel the King's highway. 00:05:23 Speaker 8: We won't turn to the right or the left until we've traveled through your territory. 00:05:28 Speaker 5: There you have it. 00:05:29 Speaker 1: That was the first message. 00:05:32 Speaker 5: Again. 00:05:33 Speaker 9: Watch your tone, priest, and speaking to our king, we won't turn to the right of the left until we've traveled through your territory. 00:05:45 Speaker 8: Please, your highness, you've heard our message. 00:05:48 Speaker 3: Now we will allow us to return to our fathers. 00:05:52 Speaker 1: The King of Edom sat back on his throne and abruptly stopped laughing. If mar didn't know what to make of this mania, feed, I said, crowned King, he was a madman. If Mark shifting uneasily on his feet, but held his ground. He could feel gersh On doing the same beside him. 00:06:10 Speaker 9: You've asked for safe passage through my legs, and often to pay. 00:06:17 Speaker 2: Would I want to know plan why now and answer me this. How is it that you're claim ownership of the cane? Would you strip it from its current owners? Your measly pause, have never touched the soils of Canaan, yet it's somehow your home land. You base this ownership on the promise of a long did patriarch. You know we come from Abraham as well, we come from Esau, but you don't see me pissing everywhere and claiming it's mine, just like your ancestor je you coming in to take whatever you want? Why should we share our kingdom with you? That was not rhetorical, Priest answer me. 00:07:14 Speaker 1: Itamar 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. 00:07:39 Speaker 8: Yes, you're hoping we could rely on your kingship and pass safely. 00:07:44 Speaker 5: Through your lands on our way north. 00:07:46 Speaker 2: To Canaan, But Caden lies directly north of you. Aware your people at camp now, Priest Eidam is east or did you never learn to read mats? 00:08:00 Speaker 5: In Egypt? 00:08:01 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. 00:08:19 Speaker 10: You know why, oh I do. The conquest is off to a splendid start. What'd you say? One defeat sets. 00:08:29 Speaker 2: Your people back thirty eight years? 00:08:32 Speaker 9: Oh, you'll be conquerors. 00:08:36 Speaker 2: In no time, just not by way of edom. Go now deliver my response to Moses. Your people may not travel through our country. If you do, we'll gut you like the pigs you refuse to eat. 00:09:05 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. 00:09:40 Speaker 8: It was a complete waste of time. He never had any intention of helping us. 00:09:45 Speaker 1: His brother Elieza took a deep breath and responded to his outburst, trying to calm him down. 00:09:51 Speaker 4: Peace, brother, what's done is done. There's nothing we can do about it. Now we must find a different way forward. 00:09:58 Speaker 1: Ithamah was still ill 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, we. 00:10:17 Speaker 5: Must find another way north. Thank you, Joshua. Yes, true, the matter at hand. What if we. 00:10:29 Speaker 4: 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. 00:10:40 Speaker 1: Loath to be left out, Ithamar was quick with a response and an eye roll at his brother's question. 00:10:47 Speaker 8: Theamites already told us in no uncertain terms, they would meet us in battle. 00:10:52 Speaker 1: Joshua, the emerging tactician among them, inserted his knowledge of the surrounding terrain. 00:10:58 Speaker 5: The entrance to the King's road from here us 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. 00:11:06 Speaker 8: Edom is wise to be suspicious of us. 00:11:09 Speaker 5: Edom is not foolish. They know. 00:11:11 Speaker 11: Even if we reimbursed them for their losses, it would not be enough to replenish what they lost before the harvest season. 00:11:18 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. 00:11:47 Speaker 4: I had hoped that hearing our plight and drawing on our shared lineage with Esol's descendants would sway their minds. 00:11:57 Speaker 5: We will find a different way, Lord Moses. 00:12:00 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. 00:12:31 Speaker 5: Tour Caleb of tried Judah to pull our men back at the pair of defense, pulled for orders, and spread the word for the shepherds to bring the flocks in clothes. 00:12:40 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, but not jumped any conclusions. 00:12:51 Speaker 5: I would bet they're pasturing themselves when I reinforce the message they sent back at Ismail. 00:12:56 Speaker 1: Geesham Ifamar frowned. He was not so sure. 00:13:00 Speaker 5: 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. 00:13:20 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 new found respect that was growing on his captive audience's faces. 00:13:51 Speaker 11: 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 air. We should not engage. 00:14:02 Speaker 1: Aaron, who had been silent throughout their entire meeting, surprised Moses further by finally speaking up. 00:14:10 Speaker 7: Joshua is right. 00:14:12 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. 00:14:21 Speaker 7: 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 Adam? 00:14:36 Speaker 1: Everyone shook their heads. 00:14:38 Speaker 4: And why bother marching? If our God hasn't called us, then we shall remain. 00:14:48 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 Athim Road. 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 Kadosh 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 his Israel, he was finally able to embrace it, and as he embraced the bone deep weariness, acceptance came. 00:16:08 Speaker 5: At last. 00:16:10 Speaker 1: Aaron would soon rest. Moses had not yet accepted it. Aaron chuckled to himself. 00:16:20 Speaker 4: 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. 00:16:37 Speaker 1: Rather than acceptance. Aaron instead watched his brother double down on preparations 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. 00:16:55 Speaker 12: Moses fears the time we have left in Russia's round in urgency and hurry, burdening himself with a standard will simply never meet. When will he realize We've done enough? 00:17:10 Speaker 5: We did all we could do. Ah, it was not enough, but God is enough. We never had to. 00:17:19 Speaker 1: 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 Zinn, 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 possessed, his blessing, and he spoke the blessing he had been taught to speak over Israel so long ago. 00:20:34 Speaker 5: May the Lord bless you and protect you. 00:20:37 Speaker 4: May the Lord make his face shine upon. 00:20:41 Speaker 5: You and be gracious unto you. 00:20:45 Speaker 13: May the Lord look at you with favor and give you peace, my son. 00:20:51 Speaker 1: Aaron's breaths became less labored 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. 00:21:07 Speaker 5: It is time, he leaned. 00:21:09 Speaker 1: 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 cascading before him, Aaron could see the future, a nation set apart by the Lord, a free people, a redeemed people, a chosen people. Then, with a warm embrace and a gentleness, ludged 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 morning 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. 00:23:19 Speaker 11: We have to assume if Edam knows we're on the move, all our enemies will we have a bigger army. We moved slowly. This was a preemptive strike, maybe even at deterrent 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. 00:23:41 Speaker 8: Or do they mean to finish where they started thirty eight years ago? 00:23:46 Speaker 1: Well, technically we started it. 00:23:49 Speaker 5: Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for war. 00:23:52 Speaker 1: They seem intent on finishing it either way. Eliza cut in decisively and interrupted his brother, not. 00:23:58 Speaker 13: With your cynicism if it's not helpful, and Joshua, there will be more battles to come. 00:24:04 Speaker 5: This one was a skirmish. 00:24:07 Speaker 1: Moses looked up at Eliezza, his new high priest, standing at his full height before them. A new found assurance had settled in him. 00:24:17 Speaker 13: If we want to be haunted by our past, and fine. 00:24:20 Speaker 5: Let it be our teacher. 00:24:21 Speaker 4: Why did the campaign against the Canaanites fail? 00:24:24 Speaker 13: Why were we crushed against the walls of a rad our forefathers went without the presence of the Lord. I remember the ark of the cousin had sat idle in Kadesh. WHI they ventured up without a second vault. No one thought to pray and asked. 00:24:40 Speaker 5: The Lord to be with them. No one thought. 00:24:42 Speaker 4: About anything but the fear, and that is why they failed. 00:24:46 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 place. 00:25:00 Speaker 13: I propose we changed that, Joshua. Draw up your plans and make the changes you need to our defenses. But first, let us pray in 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. We cannot allow ourselves to be led astray or tempted to follow their ways. 00:25:34 Speaker 5: Now let us go. 00:25:36 Speaker 4: Let us go and defeat our enemies and win back our captives. 00:25:40 Speaker 1: Beaming with approval and paternal pride, Moses rallied the men to war to whom it is. The men in the tent patted elias are on the back, and set to his instructions. The people enthusiastically accepted the vow to destroy Arad should the lorded 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. This pray dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina, Max Bard, Zach Sllebager and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People. Narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinski. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvato, bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot Com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People, please rate and leave a review,