Numbers 20:22-29 – God never leaves His work stranded.

Numbers 20 began with the death of Miriam and closed with the death of Aaron. In this chapter we see the disobedience of Moses sandwiched between these two deaths. The rebellious generation was about to fade out of the scene and the next generation would be coming in to succeed them. In some sense, here we see the judgment of God reaching its climax. As the followers were judged so were the leaders. Ultimately, it was not the lack of water that took the lives of the children of Israel, it was their unbelief seen in how they responded to the kind overtures of God. Many a times we are like them. We feel threatened by the problems of our needs, not realizing that it is our unbelief that would do us in. Like the Israelites, we can also get the wrong end of the stick. Remember God is not partial. He does not play favorites. Leaders or members alike, all will have to face God squarely based on their personal response to Him.

When the Edomites refused to allow them to pass through their land, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor. Here God announced Aaron’s death ahead of time. Moses was instructed to bring along Aaron and Eleazar with him to Mount Hor. Eleazar as we know was Aaron’s son. There on Mount Hor, Aaron would be stripped of the Priestly garments and his mantle transferred to Eleazar, who would succeed him. With the high priestly baton handed to Eleazar, Aaron died. Where he was buried was not mentioned but we guess that he was probably buried on that mountain. Moses returned with Eleazar and when the people learned that Aaron had died, they mourned for him for thirty days.   

From the death of Aaron, we learn that no one is indispensable. Many great men had come and go but only God is still on the throne.  A person’s ministry may be over, but God will never allow His work to be left stranded. He will always have someone to replace the ministry to continue the work. Meanwhile, for everyone who is at the helm, it is his or her responsibility to be faithful to ensure that the service to God is the best. The ministry of a person has a fixed duration. Hence, it is better to appreciate a person when he is around and still at the job, rather than wait until he is gone to show gratitude. Don’t wait till a funeral to appreciate someone. Show them you value them when they are alive!