Numbers 33:38

The Explanation

Imagine walking for forty years. Forty! That is longer than most moms and dads have been alive. The people of Israel had been walking through the desert all that time. Sand under their feet. Sun on their heads. Tents to sleep in, over and over again.

At the front of that huge group walked two brothers. Moses, and his older brother Aaron. Aaron was the priest. That meant he had a very special job. He was the one who brought the people's prayers and gifts to God. He wore a beautiful robe with bells on it. On his chest were twelve shiny stones, one for every family of Israel.

Aaron had walked all those years. From Egypt, through the Red Sea, past mountains and wells and thirsty places. And now, in our verse, something big happens. God speaks to Aaron. "Come up the mountain," God says. The mountain is called Mount Hor. It sticks up high above the desert.

Aaron climbs. Step by step. He is very old now. One hundred and twenty three years old! Can you imagine? Up there on the mountain, Aaron takes off his priest's robe. His son Eleazar puts it on. And then, up there on Mount Hor, Aaron dies. Quietly. With God right beside him.

Down below, all the people cry. Their priest is gone. For thirty whole days they weep for Aaron.

What Does This Mean?

You might wonder why the Bible even writes this down. One old man dies on a mountain. Why does it matter?

Because Aaron mattered to God. God knew exactly the day. The fifth month, the first day. God knew the mountain. God was there when Aaron closed his eyes for the last time. Aaron did not die alone in the sand somewhere. God called him up, like a friend calling a friend.

And look, the Bible even writes down the exact day! That tells us something. Every person is important to God. Not just the young and strong ones. Also the very old ones. Also the ones whose journey is almost done.

The Common Thread

Aaron was the priest. He was the man in the middle, standing between the people and God. When someone did something wrong, Aaron would bring an offering. But Aaron himself was also just a man. He got old. He got tired. And in the end, he died.

That is why God gave us a better priest later. His name is Jesus. Jesus is the priest who never gets old and never dies. He went up a mountain too, but it was not to die of old age. It was a hill called Golgotha, where He gave His life for us. And three days later He came back alive!

Aaron pointed forward, like a signpost, to Jesus. When you read about Aaron, you can whisper to yourself: "But Jesus is even better."

For You

Aaron's whole life was a long journey. Camp after camp. Yours is too. School, home, holidays, birthdays. Sometimes fun days, sometimes hard days.

Here is something you can do this week. Think of someone old you know. A grandma, a grandpa, an older person at church. Their journey has been much longer than yours. Go and ask them one question about their walk with God. And listen. Really listen.

And if you feel scared about getting older, or about someone you love getting older, remember Mount Hor. God was right there with Aaron. God will be right there too. Always.

Talk About It

Would you have dared to climb up Mount Hor with Aaron, knowing what would happen? Why or why not?

Aaron was a priest who pointed to Jesus. What do you think makes Jesus a better priest than Aaron?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank You that You knew Aaron by name. Thank You that You know my name too. Please walk with me every day of my journey, just like You walked with Your people. And thank You for Jesus, my forever Priest. Amen.