Aaron, Brother of Moses, High Priest

Today we commemorate Aaron. He was the first high priest of Israel and the brother of Moses and acted as Moses' spokesman. Aaron was not without sin. He created the golden calf and told the Israelites to worship it, showing that he was only a shadow of Jesus, the High Priest. This great sin did not make the sacrifices of Aaron and God did not remove him from his position as priest. At various times, sects within the Israelite community would deny Aaron's authority. On one occasion God caused the earth to swallow up those who denied the authority of Moses and Aaron. The next day, God said He was destroy the rest of the Israelites but Aaron takes his censer and stands before God to propitiate His wrath. Christ our High Priest offered Himself as sweet-smelling sacrifice to propitiate the wrath of God.