|
||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
||||||||||||
Commentary on "The Sin of Moses and Aaron"
Day 3: Monday, November 23, 2009
Overview
This lesson covers Numbers 20:23-29, the death of Aaron. The point made is “what lessons can we learn from Aaron’s death; what can we take away from this for ourselves and whatever work we’re doing for the Lord?” The writer states that the crucial question is: “How much will the new generation learn from the mistakes, as well as successes, of the older one?”
Observations
An underlying assumption behind the above question is that by learning from the previous generations, one will avoid doing the same obvious mistakes. By reading and focusing on what the overall passage is conveying (rather than concentrating on the sinful behavior), we can see God’s message to us, thus changing our emphasis from our behavior to God’s glory…the big picture. Yes, we can learn and make behavioral changes, but we’re sinful and will make mistakes. If by reading and understanding this story we learn a little more about God and what this says about Him, we’ve learned more than temporarily altering our behavior. The beauty of this passage is that it’s all about God’s display of mercy, love and consistency, even in the midst of necessary consequences for sin and disobedience. God fulfills His promises and they prevail despite our sins and fickleness. There are consequences for Aaron’s sin, just as there are for Moses’, but in unfolding His will and plan, He shows mercy to Aaron by allowing him to die in honor (“gathered to his people”) instead of being cut off. He was at peace and had God’s favor. He was forgiven and loved by God despite his sin and resulting consequences. In addition, there is type and significance in the fact that Aaron is unable to enter Canaan: to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect; that must be done by the bringing in of a better hope (Heb. 7:11-28). I see two main points in this passage:
- The integrity and accuracy of God and His Word are at stake. When prophets disobey, God’s character, and the integrity of His written and spoken Word are compromised. (see Prov. 30:5-6) There has to be consequences.
- While consequences are mandatory for sin, God’s love and mercy are evident in how He deals with Moses, Aaron and the Israelites.
Our mistakes have consequences, but don’t necessarily keep us from being an effective servant of God, if we’re repentant and our hearts are obedient and submissive.He uses imperfect and humble servants to carry out His perfect will, despite our flaws. He even uses our mistakes to fulfill His plans. Having perfect external actions is not the most important criteria for faithful service. The Bible heroes and “greats” prove that many times over.
Summary
- This is not solely about what we can learn from their mistakes, but seeing God’s love, mercy and consistency in the midst of His discipline.
- While there are consequences for Aaron’s and Moses’ sin, God shows mercy to Aaron by allowing him to die in dignity and with honor, being “gathered to his people” instead of being cut off. Love is evident in how He deals with Aaron and Moses.
- God has to discipline sin—His reputation is at stake. The integrity of God and His Word cannot be compromised (Deut. 18:20, Prov. 30:5, 6).
- God can use us despite our sin and failures. It’s not about us reaching perfection so that God can use us, but about being humble. He sanctifies us from the inside out; we can never do it by controlling our actions. It’s about the condition of our heart.
GO TO DAY 4
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised November 20, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 9
Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings
