You shall say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.’” (v. 9)
Exodus 7:8-13
Tuesday 16 July 2024
Background
Aaron is a fascinating character in the Bible, who emerges as part of a creative solution to a tricky problem, and goes on to become the ancestor of a major line of priests in Israel (Exodus 28:1).
In this passage, Aaron is seen performing wonders for Pharaoh, as God transforms Aaron’s staff into a snake. Aaron, Moses’ brother, is present in this interaction only because, after various other protestations about his inadequacy for the task, Moses finally said to God at the burning bush: "Please send someone else" (Exodus 4:13). God, fed up with Moses’ objections, but determined that Moses should be the one to go to Pharaoh and demand the Israelites’ release, suggested that Moses bring Aaron, who was a more confident public speaker. God had already arranged for Aaron to be on his way to meet Moses and accompany him to Egypt.
In Exodus 7:1-2, God describes Aaron as a prophet, tasked with telling Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt. After the departure from Egypt, Aaron and his family served as priests, set apart in order to be an instrument of blessing to the Israelite community (Numbers 6:22-27) and to encourage them never to forget God’s saving work in liberating them from Egypt (Exodus 28:12, 29-30). Leviticus 8-10 tells the story of Aaron and his family’s ordination as priests, following the precise instructions given in Exodus 29 (which if you have attended an ordination service this summer, might be interesting to compare to their modern equivalent!).
Miriam, Moses and Aaron’s sister, also emerged as an important leader during the Israelites’ time in the wilderness. After the Israelites crossed the sea, she was the first to lead them in songs of praise to God (Exodus 15:20-21). The prophet Micah lists her alongside Moses and Aaron as God’s partners (Micah 6:4).
It is noteworthy that, in responding to the cry of the Israelites and liberating them from bondage in Egypt, God (despite being all-powerful) chose not to act alone, but to enlist the help of three siblings (with complementary gifts and skills) to carry out God’s saving work.
To Ponder:
- Why do you think God chooses to enlist the help of flawed, fragile human beings in bringing God’s plans to fruition?
- How do you think Aaron felt about seeing his brother again (who was living in exile, having murdered an Egyptian slavedriver)? How do you think he felt when Moses explained God’s plan?
- Do you have people you find it helpful to work alongside because their gifts and strengths complement your own? Give thanks for them and pray for them.
Bible notes author: The Revd Naomi Oates
Naomi is a Methodist minister, currently serving in four churches in the North Kent Circuit. When not being rugby-tackled by her two toddlers, she enjoys cycling, baking and reading Golden Age detective fiction (although not all at the same time).