Effective teamwork happens when each team member uses his or her special skills. Ideally, each member’s strengths will contribute something important to the team effort. In this way, members make up for one another’s weaknesses. Aaron made a good team with Moses. He provided Moses with one skill Moses lacked – effective public speaking. But while Aaron was necessary to Moses, he needed Moses as well. Without a guide, Aaron had little direction of his own. There was never any doubt as to who God’s chosen and trained leader was. The pliability that made Aaron a good follower made him a weak leader. His major failures were caused by his inability to stand alone. His yielding to public pressure and making an idol was a good example of this weakness.
Most of us have more of the follower than the leader in us. We may even be good followers, following a good leader. But no leader is perfect, and no human deserves our complete allegiance. Only God deserves our complete loyalty and obedience. We need to be effective team members in using the skills and abilities God has given us. But if the team or leader goes against God’s Word, we must be willing to stand alone.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- First High Priest of God in Israel
- Effective Communicator; Moses’ mouthpiece
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Pliable personality; gave in to people’s demands for a golden calf
- Joined with Moses in disobeying God’s orders about the water-giving rock
- Joined sister Miriam in complaining against Moses
Lessons From His Life
- God gives individuals special abilities, which he weaves together for his use
- The very skills that make them a good team player sometimes also make for a poor leader
Vital Statistics for Aaron
- Where: Egypt, Desert of Sinai
- Occupations: Priest; Moses’ second in command
- Relatives: Brother: Moses, Sister: Miriam, Sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazer, and Ithamar
Key Verses for Aaron
“Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you… He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him’ “ (Exodus 4:14, 16)
Aaron’s story is told in Exodus – Deuteronomy 10:6, He is also mentioned in Hebrews 7:11.
Click here to print or download the Bible character study “Aaron – First High Priest of God“
