Serve God While You Have Breath

The congregation of the sons of Israel left the borders of Edom and came to Mt. Hor, in modern southern Jordan. It was there that the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron to inform them that Aaron would no longer go forward with them.

‘Aaron will be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the sons of Israel, because you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah.’ Moses was to take Aaron and his son Eleazar up to the top of Mt. Hor. Aaron would remove the high persists garments and place them on his son. Then Aaron would die.

Moses did as the LORD commanded and went up with Aaron and Eleazar in the sight of the entire congregation. Moses placed Aaron’s garments on Eleazar and they returned. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. The people mourned Aaron for 30 days.

The well known ‘Tomb of Aaron’ was built in the 1400’s atop Jabal Harun, the mount of Aaron. This was built over the remains of a Byzantine church. Historical writings from Josephus speak of this place as the burial spot for Aaron, very well known at the time of Christ. This is not too far from Petra, Jordan.

Aaron was 123 years old when he died. He has failed in many ways, yet he repented and God used him for His glory in leading the worship of the sons of Israel. He of all men knew his own sinfulness, the Old Testament clearly showing that Aaron was the one who fashioned the golden calf for the people. We do not have to have everything together to serve God, we just need to be available and listen to what God tells us to do. Once sanctified and set apart, Aaron did serve God until the day he died. All of that happened after he was 80, so there is hope even for the oldest amongst us to know and love God in our later years. Do not waste the time you have left.