Semikkah7

01/26/2021 – Day 254 – Numbers 17 – 20 // Ch 20: 22-29 – The funeral of Aaron

I’m borrowing completely tonight from Matthew Henry’s commentary on the funeral of Aaron:

“The chapter began with the funeral of Miriam , and it ends with the funeral of her brother Aaron.

I. God bids Aaron die, v 24. 1. There is something of displeasure in these orders. Aaron must not enter Canaan, because he had failed in his duty at the waters of strife. The mention of this , no doubt , went to the heart of Moses , who knew himself, perhaps, at that time, to be the guiltier of the two. (Jimmy note: Much as in the previous post in 2 Samuel with David being guiltier than Uzzah, who was struck dead by God for what could be termed mostly David’s guilt) 2. There is much of mercy in them. Aaron, though he dies for his transgression , is not put to death as a malefacttor, by a plague, or fire from heaven, but dies with ease and in honour. He is not cut off from his people, as the expression usually is concerning those that die by the hand of divine justice, but he is gathered to his people, as one that died in the arms of the divine grace. 3. There is much of type of significancy in the. Aaron much not enter Canaan, to show that the Levitical priesthood could make nothing perfect; that must be done by the bringing in a better hope.

II Aaron submits, and dies in the method and manner appointed, and for aught that appears, with as much cheerfulness as if he had been going to bed.

1. He puts on his holy garments to take his leave of them , and goes up with his brother and son to the top of Mount Hor, and probably some of teh elders of Israel with him, v 27. His going up the hill to die signified that the death of saints (and Aaron is called the saint of the Lord) is their asension; they rather go up than go down to death.
2. Moses, whose hands had first clothed Aaron, with his priestly garments, now strips him of them; for , in reverence to the priesthood, it was not fit that he should die in them.
3. Moses immediately puts the priestly garments upon Eliezer his son, clothes him with his father’s robe, and strengthens him with his girdle, Isaiah 22 : 21. Now, (1) This was a great comfort to Moses, a happy earnest and indication to the church of the care God would take that as one generation of ministers and Christians (spiritual priests) passes away another generation should come up instead of it. (2) It was a great satisfaction to Aaron to see his son, who was dear to him, thus preferred , and his office, which was dearer to him, thus preserved and secured. (3) It was a great kindness to the people.”

Soli Deo Gloria!