Message Notes

YOUTH WORSHIP 21 June 2025
Text: Numbers 20:22-29
Title: “Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there”

22 Now the children of Israel, the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.

23 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:

24 “Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah.

25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor;

26 and strip Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; for Aaron shall be gathered to his people and die there.”

27 So Moses did just as the LORD commanded, and they went up to Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.

28 Moses stripped Aaron of his garments and put them on Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain.

29 Now when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, all the house of Israel mourned for Aaron thirty days.

Numbers 20:22-29

THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF AARON REVIEWED

1. Positive aspects

a) As a spokesman for Moses Exodus 4:10-16

b) He served with Moses standing before Pharaoh Exodus 7-10

c) He was the first High Priest of Israel Exodus 28-29

d) The Aaronic priesthood was confirmed by God Numbers 16-18

2. Negative aspects

a) He made a golden calf Exodus 32

b) Together with Miriam, Aaron challenged Moses’ authority Numbers 12

c) He disobeyed God with Moses in the wilderness of Zin Numbers 20

DEATH OF AARON

23 And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying:

24 “Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah.

Numbers 20:23-24

1. This was the Lord’s decree

a) When Aaron would die

b) Where he would breathe his last

c) Why he was to die

2. Explanation of the Lord’s decree

a) They did not believe in God Numbers 20:12a

b) They did not hallow His name Numbers 20:12b

c) They had rebelled Numbers 20:24

SUCCESSION TO THE HIGH PRIESTHOOD

1. Eleazar, one of the sons of Aaron would succeed him

2. Aaron had four sons

a) Nadab

b) Abihu

c) Eleazar

d) Ithamar

3. The garments of Aaron

a) They were symbolic garments

b) They were stripped off Aaron

c) They were placed on Eleazar

d) They were put on Eleazar to signify his succession

4. This was attended to by Moses and Eleazar

a) The children of Israel were not up at Mount Hor

b) This was a special moment:

i) For the family

ii) For Moses

iii) For Eleazar

THE TYPICAL JEWISH MOURNING PERIOD TODAY

1. Immediate

2. First week

3. First month

4. First year (for parents)

The Month-long mourning period was not uncommon.

5. Home visits are made

a) Prayers are offered (Kaddish)

b) Praise of God given

c) Fellowship meals

CULTIVATING AN UNDERSTANDING OF FUNERARY RITES

1. Concern for the bereaved family

2. Support for the bereaved family

3. Funerary rites:

a) Worship

b) Fellowship

c) Remembering the dead (Eulogies)