While Moses was the focus in Torah portion Shemot, he is joined by his older brother Aaron in Torah portion Va’era. We read about him the first time when he is sent to meet his, now eighty-year-old younger brother, Moses. Although not mentioned , Father must have spoken to Aaron before Moses’s encounter at the burning bush, for he was already on his way.

Here we have a repetition of two brothers scenario from Genesis, and again the younger is called to be the leader, against all our human expectations. We saw that in the lives of Ishmael and Isaac, Esau and Jacob, Ruben and Judah to name a few.

This made me think about Matt 19:30: “But many who are first shall be last, and the last first.” Things do not always go  as we expect. Our insight is not always in line with His outcome. You see, our Father looks at the heart of man and knows the end even before the beginning. He knew Moses needed a voice and made provision for it, long before Moses even mentioned it. That might have been what angered Him during His conversation with Moses.

Father’s standards or value system is very different from our value system. He does not honour the things we tend to do, like titles and position. We saw this in the calling of Moses, he was not called from the palace, but was transformed from a prince into a simple shepherd with a humble heart: one right for the mission.

Getting back to the older brother Aaron, who was sent to support his younger brother Moses, we see a difference from the other examples in the patriarchs. Ishmael moved away from Isaac and although they buried their father together, they were not in unity. Jacob lived in fear for his life, for Esau vowed to kill him. Judah did not live with his brothers , but amongst the Canaanites. But here we meet the older brother Aaron, who obviously had a relationship with our Creator. We are not told how he was called, but we know he obeyed. He went to meet his brother, whom he had not seen for at least 40 years, willing to serve under him , for God called him to do so.

We will encounter him and his character through the next 4 books of the Bible, but although not perfect, there is a lot we can learn from him. He never rebelled against his younger brother, although he once listened to his sister Miriam. He supported him and in unity they led the Israelites through 40 tough years in the Wilderness.

Aaron was called to be a prophet for Moses (EX7:1). He was the one who prepared the people for the deliverance that Father was about to do by the hand of Moses. Later in Scripture we meet another Levite , like Aaron, who prepared the way for Yeshua. As John proclaimed the salvation through Yeshua, Aaron was to proclaim Moses to Pharoah and the Israelites.

Our Creator used the two brothers to draw His people back into relationship and covenant with Him. Our Father spoke to Moses, Moses spoke to Aaron, and Aaron gave the messages to the people. In this we find a picture of the Tabernacle, where Aaron would later serve as high priest to the Most High.

Our Father spoke to Moses = Holy of Holies

Moses spoke to Aaron = Holy Place

Aaron to the people = Outer Court

From Aaron and his relationship with Moses we can learn :

There is power in unity, no one could accomplish the task at hand without the input of the other. But the unity could not be built on the foundation of pride. Aaron had to except his younger brother as leader and Moses had to accept the help.

Father looks at our hearts and capabilities when our purpose is formed in His great plan for mankind.

Father puts people in our lives to complement our weak points. Only when we are willing to face our weaknesses and allow those who are stronger in that area to take our hand , we can form a community linked together and walk in unity with Him and His purpose as our goal and focus. We are diverse, but in spite of our diversity there should be unity in His Household.

All to the glory of our Creator!