Aaron Speaks for Moses

PRAYER PRACTICE

Prayer Journal – To begin your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God. Give thanks to God for all that He gives. And then finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done, tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.

DAILY READING

Exodus 7:1-7

REFLECTION

Aaron Speaks for Moses

by Karen Burkhart

Last week, I wrote about the story of Abraham’s two sons, Ishmael, and Isaac. Though Ishmael was the firstborn, God did not choose him to establish the family line through which the Messiah would come. Instead, God chose his younger brother, Isaac. In today’s reading we see again God bypassing the older son (Aaron) to call the younger son (Moses) to a vital mission. Throughout Scripture, there are at least seven other younger brothers whom God exalted: Joseph, David, Jacob, Gideon, Solomon, Ephraim, and Abel. I love how God is not bound by our cultural norms and expectations—He can do whatever He wants, with whomever He chooses. Consider what the Lord said to Samuel about David, who was the youngest of eight:

  “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The story of Moses and Aaron is different than the examples mentioned above in at least one obvious way: God didn’t completely sidestep the elder brother. Rather, He enlisted Aaron in the mission of Moses, as spokesman. As second born myself, I can’t help but feel for Moses who had to endure his older brother speaking on his behalf, though I imagine the bigger burden was with Aaron who had to humble himself to take instructions from his baby brother. 

To understand why Aaron was called to come alongside Moses, we have to go all the way back to the story of the burning bush in Exodus 3. From there, we learn that after hearing God’s instruction to go to Pharaoh, Moses pushed back not once, not twice, but five times, culminating in, “Please send someone else!” Though Moses didn't get exactly what He wanted, God did meet him part way.      

I'm struck by how bold Moses was to suggest to God that He may have chosen the wrong person and that He should send someone else. I'm even more struck by how patient God was with Moses. God could have said, "Fine! I'll send your brother Aaron in your place!" But he didn't--He accommodated Moses' insecurities, giving him Aaron as a partner, whose strengths would complement his weaknesses. Obviously, God knew this partnership would be the end result so It's curious to me that He didn't just start there. Perhaps God wanted Moses to really feel his inadequacy so that He would welcome help from his brother, Aaron. Any good parent or teacher knows that children are far more accepting of help when it's their idea. God is so kind to account for our sin nature and shortcomings in His Divine plan. 

Have you ever felt inadequate for the tasks to which God has called you? Have you been known to recount your shortcomings and even offer up other candidates for the missions you’ve been called to? If so, you’re in very good company. Rest assured, God doesn’t make mistakes and He won’t cast you aside even when you try to sideline yourself. Accept your weaknesses as an opportunity to unwrap the gift that is the people of God--the Body of Christ--perfectly designed and lacks nothing. Look around. Maybe God's got an Aaron waiting in the wings to come alongside you. Imagine what you could do for the Kingdom of God together.