WEBVTT - The Death of Aaron 0:00:00.160 --> 0:00:02.279 Previously on the chosen people. 0:00:04.760 --> 0:00:08.720 My Lord, I'm not an eloquent man. 0:00:09.160 --> 0:00:13.880 I've always been slow of speech and tongue. How can 0:00:13.920 --> 0:00:17.120 I speak with this feeble mouth of mine. 0:00:17.360 --> 0:00:21.040 Your brother Aaron walks among the people. He is an 0:00:21.040 --> 0:00:25.000 orator of skill and a man of the people. I 0:00:25.320 --> 0:00:29.520 have already instructed him to meet you. When he sees you, 0:00:30.040 --> 0:00:33.720 it will please his heart. You shall speak to him, 0:00:34.240 --> 0:00:39.360 and he shall proclaim on your behalf. I shall command you, 0:00:40.120 --> 0:00:44.800 and you shall command him. He shall be your mouth, 0:00:45.560 --> 0:00:50.599 and you shall be like a god to him. 0:00:50.840 --> 0:00:55.280 Pace Lord, please show me what I show me what 0:00:55.400 --> 0:00:57.400 I can do to atone for the people. 0:00:58.000 --> 0:01:02.280 Help me guide them. Shouldn't they turn away from mer sin? 0:01:03.160 --> 0:01:05.360 There has to be another way. 0:01:05.920 --> 0:01:07.720 Please show me. 0:01:08.440 --> 0:01:12.360 The Lord has confirmed that Aaron, son of Amram, a 0:01:12.440 --> 0:01:16.000 descendant of Levi himself, is the high Priest of Israel. 0:01:16.920 --> 0:01:18.640 Let no one doubt the Lord's. 0:01:18.400 --> 0:01:22.919 Choice, for he has spoken through this definitive sign. 0:01:24.040 --> 0:01:27.600 Moses has kept us from anything good. 0:01:27.200 --> 0:01:31.080 He would have us wandering the desert until we all die. 0:01:31.440 --> 0:01:35.600 And just like our parents, after years of wandering the 0:01:35.640 --> 0:01:39.840 desert waiting for the faithless to pass, this new generation 0:01:40.120 --> 0:01:44.280 dared to echo the same ungrateful complaints of their forbears. 0:01:45.800 --> 0:01:48.640 You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the 0:01:48.800 --> 0:01:53.040 source the rock while they want, and it will yield 0:01:53.160 --> 0:01:53.680 its water. 0:01:55.160 --> 0:02:00.240 Listen, he rebels, must erin, and I bring water out 0:02:00.240 --> 0:02:03.200 of this rock for you. We will show you where 0:02:03.240 --> 0:02:04.480 true authority lies. 0:02:05.240 --> 0:02:10.880 Anger surged unchecked through Moses, finally unleashed. As he spoke 0:02:10.960 --> 0:02:14.840 with ferocity to the ungrateful crowd. He raised his hand 0:02:14.880 --> 0:02:17.359 and struck the rock with the sprouted staff. 0:02:18.960 --> 0:02:23.680 You understand. You understand that you did not trust me 0:02:23.919 --> 0:02:27.480 to demonstrate mine holiness in the sight of all Israel. 0:02:28.000 --> 0:02:32.000 You took it upon yourself. You acted accordingly to your 0:02:32.120 --> 0:02:37.360 own authority. Because of this act of rebellion, neither of 0:02:37.440 --> 0:02:40.560 you will bring this assembly into the land I have 0:02:40.720 --> 0:02:51.440 given them. 0:02:51.639 --> 0:02:56.400 When your own brother bars the way, where do you turn? Sell, oh, 0:02:56.440 --> 0:02:58.639 my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel. 0:02:58.800 --> 0:03:02.400 A'my l extein with it, international Fellowship of Christians and Jews, 0:03:02.919 --> 0:03:07.120 and welcome to the Chosen people. Our people stand on 0:03:07.200 --> 0:03:10.200 the edge of Edome. The road has been long marked 0:03:10.200 --> 0:03:14.280 by rebellion and miracles alike. From the bitter waters of 0:03:14.440 --> 0:03:17.640 murray Bah, where we question the Lord's provision to the 0:03:17.760 --> 0:03:21.720 brink of yet another challenge, Moses sends a message to 0:03:21.760 --> 0:03:25.080 our brothers in Edome, asking for a simple passage through 0:03:25.080 --> 0:03:28.680 their land. No harm to their fields, no theft from 0:03:28.760 --> 0:03:31.840 their wells, just a step closer to the promised land. 0:03:32.400 --> 0:03:34.240 But Edome refuses. 0:03:34.960 --> 0:03:35.720 What will we do? 0:03:35.800 --> 0:03:39.720 And the path forward is blocked when even family turns 0:03:39.800 --> 0:03:43.360 us away? What does it mean to be turned away 0:03:43.360 --> 0:03:45.760 by your own brother? This is not a story of 0:03:45.840 --> 0:03:49.280 nations at war. This is a story of family. Esau 0:03:49.280 --> 0:03:54.080 and Jacob, Edome and Israel, the descendants of a shared ancestor, 0:03:54.160 --> 0:03:57.840 now on opposite sides. And the question that I find 0:03:57.880 --> 0:04:05.440 myself asking is what lies at the heart of Edom's refusal? Fear, mistrust, 0:04:06.160 --> 0:04:09.760 and beneath it all may be something deeper. The story 0:04:09.760 --> 0:04:12.080 of two brothers, one who stole a blessing and the 0:04:12.120 --> 0:04:15.960 other who lived with the loss. And now Edom, made 0:04:16.040 --> 0:04:19.000 up of ESA's descendants, refuses to forgive. 0:04:22.080 --> 0:04:26.640 The King of Edom stroked his wiry beard and bellied laugh. 0:04:32.600 --> 0:04:35.360 Now Ah, read it again. 0:04:38.839 --> 0:04:43.000 The chiefs and advisers roared in response, eager to hear 0:04:43.080 --> 0:04:48.600 the Israelite leaders please once more Ishamar Aaron's youngest son 0:04:48.960 --> 0:04:52.479 stood before them, biting his cheek to keep from showing 0:04:52.520 --> 0:04:58.840 his humiliation. This was an utter disgrace. Beside him, Girshl, Moses' 0:04:58.960 --> 0:05:02.719 eldest son, nudged him with a warning glance. They couldn't 0:05:02.760 --> 0:05:06.760 afford to provoke these men, no matter how taunting their words, 0:05:06.960 --> 0:05:10.799 for they had no authority to start a war. Neither 0:05:10.920 --> 0:05:13.960 wanted to become the first casualties of such a conflict. 0:05:14.600 --> 0:05:18.920 Ihamar took a steadying breath, cleared his throat, and began 0:05:19.040 --> 0:05:19.839 to read again. 0:05:20.279 --> 0:05:23.520 We will go on the main road, and if we 0:05:24.160 --> 0:05:27.960 or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. 0:05:28.920 --> 0:05:31.919 There will be no problem. Only let us ah. 0:05:33.760 --> 0:05:36.680 No, no, read the first letter again. 0:05:37.560 --> 0:05:47.600 That's my favorite. Oh oh ah no, it's tuggled by heartstrings. 0:05:48.440 --> 0:05:53.320 Tug God, that make me weep with brother affection for 0:05:53.800 --> 0:05:56.080 your kids' hardships. 0:05:57.160 --> 0:06:02.000 Isthamar stared incredulously at the king. Gersham nudged him again 0:06:02.040 --> 0:06:05.520 and shot him a threatening look. If Amar shuffled the 0:06:05.560 --> 0:06:09.080 parchment in his hands and found the initial message they 0:06:09.080 --> 0:06:12.040 had been sent to deliver on their first visit to Edom. 0:06:14.040 --> 0:06:17.200 This is what your brother Israel says, You know, all 0:06:17.200 --> 0:06:19.080 the hardships that have overtaken us. 0:06:19.480 --> 0:06:21.960 Our ancestors suffered slavery in Egypt. 0:06:22.480 --> 0:06:28.360 He cried out to the lord, and he heard our 0:06:28.400 --> 0:06:31.880 plea and brought us out of Egypt. We are in Ketdish, 0:06:32.040 --> 0:06:35.880 on the border of your territory. Please let us travel. 0:06:35.520 --> 0:06:36.159 Through your land. 0:06:36.200 --> 0:06:39.000 We won't travel through any field or vineyard, or drink 0:06:39.040 --> 0:06:39.880 any well water. 0:06:40.160 --> 0:06:41.680 You will travel the King's highway. 0:06:41.720 --> 0:06:43.799 We won't turn to the right or the left. 0:06:43.680 --> 0:06:45.520 Until we've traveled through your territory. 0:06:46.120 --> 0:06:46.800 There you have it. 0:06:47.480 --> 0:06:49.480 That was the first message. 0:06:50.320 --> 0:06:50.680 Again. 0:06:50.880 --> 0:06:54.880 Watch your tone, priest, and speaking to a king. 0:06:56.800 --> 0:06:59.520 We won't turn to the right of the left until 0:06:59.520 --> 0:07:02.000 we've traveled through your territory. 0:07:03.560 --> 0:07:07.400 Please, your highness, you've heard our message. Now will you 0:07:07.440 --> 0:07:10.000 allow us to return to our fathers. 0:07:10.000 --> 0:07:12.640 The King of Edom sat back on his throne and 0:07:12.720 --> 0:07:16.640 abruptly stopped laughing. Ishamo didn't know what to make of 0:07:16.680 --> 0:07:19.840 this maniac. For Edom, I said, crowned King, he was 0:07:19.880 --> 0:07:23.960 a madman. Ishamar shifted uneasily on his feet, but held 0:07:24.000 --> 0:07:26.960 his ground. He could feel gersh On doing the same 0:07:27.080 --> 0:07:28.520 beside him. 0:07:28.880 --> 0:07:33.960 You've asked for safe passage through my legs and offered. 0:07:33.520 --> 0:07:37.960 To hey, when I want to know his name? Why 0:07:38.960 --> 0:07:41.520 why now? And answer me this? 0:07:42.280 --> 0:07:47.960 How is it that you're claim ownership Cain? Would you 0:07:48.360 --> 0:07:52.760 strip it from its current bonents? Your measly pause. 0:07:52.800 --> 0:07:56.520 I've never touched the soils of Canaan, yet it's somehow 0:07:56.520 --> 0:08:01.560 your own land. You based this on the promise of 0:08:01.600 --> 0:08:02.880 a long did patriar. 0:08:06.360 --> 0:08:10.000 You know we come from Abraham, as will we come 0:08:10.000 --> 0:08:13.600 from Esau, but you don't see me piercing everywhere and 0:08:13.680 --> 0:08:16.760 claiming it's mine, just like your. 0:08:16.640 --> 0:08:21.040 Ancestors, Jacob, you coming in to take whatever you want. 0:08:21.960 --> 0:08:27.600 Why should we share our kingdom with you? That was 0:08:27.640 --> 0:08:31.040 not rhetorical, Priest answer me. 0:08:32.040 --> 0:08:35.600 Isamar flinched at the harshness of the King's tone, but 0:08:35.800 --> 0:08:39.119 knew he had to respond, even if it meant inviting 0:08:39.200 --> 0:08:43.760 more mockery. Returning after their initial rejection had been a mistake, 0:08:44.080 --> 0:08:49.080 but Moses had insisted. Ihamar suspected Moses was desperate to 0:08:49.160 --> 0:08:53.000 regain the people's trust after the near rebellion before drawing 0:08:53.080 --> 0:08:55.920 water from the rock, but he would not reveal that 0:08:56.040 --> 0:08:57.080 weakness to the king. 0:08:57.640 --> 0:09:02.200 Yes, you're hoping we get on your kingship and pass 0:09:02.280 --> 0:09:05.199 safely through your lands on our way north to Canaan. 0:09:06.000 --> 0:09:11.440 But Cadan lies directly north of you, where your people 0:09:11.480 --> 0:09:12.000 are camped. 0:09:12.040 --> 0:09:15.400 Now, priest edam is east? 0:09:15.880 --> 0:09:18.520 Or did you never learn to read mats? 0:09:18.679 --> 0:09:19.320 In Egypt? 0:09:19.880 --> 0:09:23.320 The king knew about their devastating defeat at the hands 0:09:23.320 --> 0:09:27.360 of both the Canaanites and the Amalekites thirty eight years ago. 0:09:27.960 --> 0:09:30.319 He knew that was the reason they feared to go 0:09:30.440 --> 0:09:33.560 due north into Canaan, the reason they were seeking an 0:09:33.640 --> 0:09:37.040 indirect route. But he was going to make him say it. 0:09:37.400 --> 0:09:43.120 You know why, oh I do. The conquest is off 0:09:43.160 --> 0:09:47.520 to a splendid start. What'd you say one defeat sets 0:09:47.520 --> 0:09:49.600 your people back thirty eight years? 0:09:50.400 --> 0:09:57.920 Oh, you'll be conquerors in no time, just not by 0:09:58.000 --> 0:10:04.239 way of edom. Go now deliver my response to Moses. 0:10:04.840 --> 0:10:07.880 Your people may not travel. 0:10:07.559 --> 0:10:08.679 Through our country. 0:10:09.920 --> 0:10:13.920 If you do, we'll gut you like the pigs you 0:10:14.120 --> 0:10:15.800 refuse to eat. 0:10:23.840 --> 0:10:27.720 Moses drummed his gnarled fingers over the maps spread across 0:10:27.760 --> 0:10:31.120 the table in his tent, surrounded by his war council. 0:10:31.720 --> 0:10:34.840 Beside him were Aaron and the new generation of leaders, 0:10:35.240 --> 0:10:40.960 Eliezza and Ithamar, Aaron's sons representing the priestly Order. Gersham 0:10:41.120 --> 0:10:46.360 and Eliezza, moses sons representing civil leadership, and Joshua, his 0:10:46.559 --> 0:10:50.800 most trusted aid. Ithamar and Gersham had just returned from 0:10:50.800 --> 0:10:54.800 their meeting with the King and recited the full dismissive message. 0:10:55.280 --> 0:10:58.080 Ithamar was still ranting about how poorly it went. 0:10:58.400 --> 0:11:00.000 It was a complete waste of time. 0:11:00.040 --> 0:11:03.160 Time he never had any intention of helping us. 0:11:03.559 --> 0:11:06.960 His brother Elieza took a deep breath and responded to 0:11:07.000 --> 0:11:09.240 his outburst, trying to calm him down. 0:11:09.480 --> 0:11:12.760 Peace, brother, what's done is done. There's nothing we can 0:11:12.800 --> 0:11:16.079 do about it. Now, we must find a different way forward. 0:11:16.880 --> 0:11:20.760 If Amara was still fuming and Elieza was trying desperately 0:11:20.800 --> 0:11:24.040 to keep the peace. Moses frowned at his brother in 0:11:24.080 --> 0:11:27.720 the corner, but Aaron barely even looked up at his 0:11:27.880 --> 0:11:32.280 sons arguing in front of their war council. Joshua broke 0:11:32.360 --> 0:11:34.839 the tense silence at Moses' words. 0:11:34.720 --> 0:11:43.000 We must find another way north. Thank you, Joshua. Yes 0:11:43.920 --> 0:11:45.760 to the matter at hand. 0:11:46.960 --> 0:11:50.720 What if we were to attempt the King's road? Caravans 0:11:50.760 --> 0:11:53.760 and even militaries take that road all the time. I 0:11:53.800 --> 0:11:57.400 don't understand why we are the exception. It's simply because 0:11:57.440 --> 0:11:58.360 we asked. 0:11:58.640 --> 0:12:01.599 Loath to be left out. Ithamar was quick with a 0:12:01.679 --> 0:12:04.600 response and an eye roll at his brother's question. 0:12:04.880 --> 0:12:09.000 The Edamites already told us in no uncertain terms, they 0:12:09.040 --> 0:12:10.160 would meet us in battle. 0:12:10.679 --> 0:12:15.160 Joshua, the emerging tactician among them, inserted his knowledge of 0:12:15.200 --> 0:12:16.360 the surrounding terrain. 0:12:16.640 --> 0:12:18.560 The entrance to the King's road from here is through 0:12:18.600 --> 0:12:21.080 a narrow pass in those mountains. They would have been 0:12:21.120 --> 0:12:23.160 able to defend it and rout us quite easily if 0:12:23.200 --> 0:12:25.920 we had attempted to do so. Edam is wise to 0:12:25.960 --> 0:12:29.400 be suspicious of us. Edam is not foolish. They know. 0:12:29.679 --> 0:12:32.760 Even if we reimbursed them for their losses, it would 0:12:32.760 --> 0:12:34.800 not be enough to replenish what they lost before the 0:12:34.840 --> 0:12:35.600 harvest season. 0:12:36.040 --> 0:12:39.240 Moses eyed Aaron again in the corner of the tent, 0:12:39.720 --> 0:12:44.240 wondering if he would engage, but he remained despondent. It 0:12:44.320 --> 0:12:47.839 had been a month since Miriam passed, and then only 0:12:47.880 --> 0:12:51.760 a few weeks since the Lord had made his devastating judgment. 0:12:52.480 --> 0:12:56.400 Moses and Aaron would not enter the promised land, but 0:12:56.480 --> 0:12:59.840 the other men around this table would. Moses would make 0:12:59.840 --> 0:13:03.760 sure of it and prepare them in whatever way he could. 0:13:05.679 --> 0:13:09.599 I had hoped that hearing our plight and drawing on 0:13:09.800 --> 0:13:14.720 our shared lineage with Esol's descendants would sway their minds. 0:13:15.520 --> 0:13:17.480 We will find a different way, Lord Moses. 0:13:17.960 --> 0:13:21.920 A commotion outside the tent drew the men's attention. A 0:13:22.000 --> 0:13:25.880 moment later, a messenger burst into the tent. It was 0:13:25.920 --> 0:13:29.839 the Edomites. Their army of over five hundred had been 0:13:29.880 --> 0:13:33.880 spotted at a distance. They were stalled at the boundary, 0:13:34.200 --> 0:13:38.400 holding fast and ready for battle. The men all sprang 0:13:38.480 --> 0:13:42.200 to their feet, and all eyes went to Moses to 0:13:42.280 --> 0:13:47.000 determine what they should do next. Joshua interjected before Moses 0:13:47.040 --> 0:13:49.360 had a chance to think of a response to. 0:13:49.520 --> 0:13:51.760 Caleb of trad Judah, to pull our men back at 0:13:51.760 --> 0:13:55.200 the pair defense, a pull for orders, and spread the 0:13:55.200 --> 0:13:57.400 word for the shepherds to bring the flocks and clothes. 0:13:58.200 --> 0:14:00.640 The messenger ran off to do as he was told. 0:14:01.160 --> 0:14:04.840 Moses looked at Joshua in surprise. He had truly become 0:14:04.880 --> 0:14:06.880 a confident and capable leader. 0:14:07.120 --> 0:14:11.240 That's not jumped any conclusions. I would bet they're posturing themselves. 0:14:11.800 --> 0:14:14.640 Want to reinforce the message they sent back with Imar. 0:14:14.400 --> 0:14:17.920 Geesham Ifamar frowned. He was not so sure. 0:14:18.120 --> 0:14:21.920 What if they decide to march forward, would then then 0:14:21.960 --> 0:14:26.320 we handle it. But I've studied edom. They've got soldiers, sure, 0:14:26.440 --> 0:14:30.760 but they're no warriors. The focus is the tolls, keeping 0:14:30.760 --> 0:14:34.280 their stretch of the King's Highway in check, not campaigns. 0:14:34.800 --> 0:14:37.560 But the right move would push them back easily. 0:14:37.960 --> 0:14:42.040 If themar and Elieza both looked to Joshua, surprised at 0:14:42.080 --> 0:14:45.280 the confidence with which he had spoken. Gone was the 0:14:45.320 --> 0:14:49.240 attendant to Moses who kept to the shadows. Here was 0:14:49.320 --> 0:14:54.800 a general of war. Moses eyebrows rose in approval. This 0:14:55.160 --> 0:14:57.760 was the man he selected all those years ago to 0:14:57.880 --> 0:15:03.880 lead that very first battle. This was perhaps why Joshua continued, 0:15:04.400 --> 0:15:07.640 unaware of the newfound respect that was growing on his 0:15:07.760 --> 0:15:09.440 captive audience's faces. 0:15:09.520 --> 0:15:12.120 But the real question is if we engage them in 0:15:12.160 --> 0:15:14.880 battle and press north, do we want to be fighting 0:15:14.880 --> 0:15:17.360 a war on two fronts. This is not a wise 0:15:17.440 --> 0:15:19.600 course of action. We should not engage. 0:15:20.200 --> 0:15:24.760 Aaron, who had been silent throughout their entire meeting, surprised 0:15:24.800 --> 0:15:27.560 Moses further by finally speaking up. 0:15:27.960 --> 0:15:29.760 Joshua is right. 0:15:30.400 --> 0:15:34.320 Everyone in the tent was silent. The aged Aaron propped 0:15:34.400 --> 0:15:37.880 himself up and raised a finger to them. His voice, steady, 0:15:38.200 --> 0:15:39.320 filled with conviction. 0:15:39.800 --> 0:15:44.280 Eden is not our enemy, but if we treat them 0:15:44.400 --> 0:15:48.359 like one, then we will have a catastrophe on our hands. 0:15:49.040 --> 0:15:53.440 Answer me, this, did the Lord promise us victory over Aden? 0:15:54.120 --> 0:15:56.080 Everyone shook their heads. 0:15:56.040 --> 0:16:01.280 And why bother marching? If our God hasn't called, we 0:16:01.320 --> 0:16:02.080 shall remain. 0:16:06.680 --> 0:16:11.880 Joshua's assessment was correct Edam's army remained on the border 0:16:12.080 --> 0:16:15.600 and watched as Israel packed up an edge slowly northward 0:16:15.640 --> 0:16:20.280 along the Atharim Road. Aaron had faithfully overseen the transportation 0:16:20.440 --> 0:16:24.160 of the tabernacle. He was careful to instruct Elieza in 0:16:24.280 --> 0:16:27.520 everything he did, knowing that it would all fall to 0:16:27.640 --> 0:16:32.240 him one day. One day, very soon, Aaron feared. The 0:16:32.400 --> 0:16:35.880 failure at Kadesh after Miriam's death had been a blow. 0:16:36.600 --> 0:16:41.080 Aaron had experienced failure before, but somehow the finality of 0:16:41.120 --> 0:16:45.720 this consequence was something he could just not shake. Aaron 0:16:45.920 --> 0:16:48.800 was not ashamed to admit he was lost in grief 0:16:48.880 --> 0:16:52.320 over it in the days that followed. But then the 0:16:52.400 --> 0:16:58.560 most miraculous thing happened. He found acceptance. He sensed his 0:16:58.760 --> 0:17:02.440 time was drawing near and his duty would be finished 0:17:02.480 --> 0:17:06.399 at last. Aaron knew the generation who would take the 0:17:06.440 --> 0:17:09.800 promised Land would need to have more heart and vigor 0:17:10.000 --> 0:17:14.600 than Aaron possessed at his age. He was tired. When 0:17:14.600 --> 0:17:17.320 he was released from the task of taking the Promised 0:17:17.359 --> 0:17:21.080 Land with Israel, he was finally able to embrace it, 0:17:21.840 --> 0:17:26.520 and as he embraced the bone deep weariness, acceptance came. 0:17:26.600 --> 0:17:32.520 At last. Aaron would soon rest. Moses had not yet 0:17:32.560 --> 0:17:35.600 accepted it. Aaron chuckled to himself. 0:17:38.119 --> 0:17:43.800 No, No, Moses is nowhere near acceptance. He refuses to 0:17:43.920 --> 0:17:50.840 acknowledge that our duty draws to a close. Every minute 0:17:50.880 --> 0:17:54.360 that passes brings us closer to rest. 0:17:55.200 --> 0:17:59.520 Rather than acceptance, Aaron instead watched his brother double down 0:17:59.520 --> 0:18:03.320 on preper rations and plans to move Israel forward into 0:18:03.400 --> 0:18:06.720 conquest as quickly as possible, as if the moment of 0:18:06.800 --> 0:18:11.840 their deaths was drawing nearer every second, which Aaron chuckled again, 0:18:12.400 --> 0:18:13.119 was not wrong. 0:18:13.640 --> 0:18:18.360 Moses fierce the time we have left, and rushes around 0:18:18.440 --> 0:18:22.600 in urgency and hurry, burdening himself with a standard will 0:18:22.800 --> 0:18:24.399 simply never meet. 0:18:24.800 --> 0:18:29.480 When will he realize We've done enough? We did all 0:18:29.520 --> 0:18:35.440 we could do. It was not enough, but God is enough. 0:18:36.080 --> 0:18:40.120 We never had to be, And so Aaron watched Moses 0:18:40.200 --> 0:18:43.080 watching him out of the corner of his eye, knowing 0:18:43.119 --> 0:18:48.200 that Moses didn't understand his aloofness, but he would in time. 0:18:49.080 --> 0:18:52.720 Aaron had accepted his fate and would rather spend time 0:18:52.760 --> 0:18:57.280 preparing his sons for their roles in Israel's future. That morning, 0:18:57.600 --> 0:19:02.080 on their trek north, Aaron saw it and knew. As 0:19:02.119 --> 0:19:06.040 the hours marched forward, its peak grew, and soon they 0:19:06.040 --> 0:19:09.320 were in the shadow of the mountain. Aaron stared up 0:19:09.359 --> 0:19:12.760 at it and sighed the views from the top would 0:19:12.760 --> 0:19:16.959 be stunning. Aaron beheld the country of Edom and the 0:19:17.080 --> 0:19:20.520 vast wilderness of Zin, the land that had become his 0:19:20.640 --> 0:19:25.280 home these last forty years. He smirked and nodded his head. 0:19:25.960 --> 0:19:28.280 It was as good a place as any to die. 0:19:29.000 --> 0:19:33.080 Aaron felt at peace over the next day, almost as 0:19:33.119 --> 0:19:36.919 if he was experiencing the events outside of his own body. 0:19:37.440 --> 0:19:41.760 But Aaron was not afraid. The Lord came upon him 0:19:41.880 --> 0:19:46.000 and Moses and told Moses what Aaron already knew. He 0:19:46.160 --> 0:19:49.240 was going to die on the mountain before them. They 0:19:49.240 --> 0:19:53.000 were to take Elieza to the top and symbolically transfer 0:19:53.080 --> 0:19:58.200 Aaron's priestly power to him. The inauguration of Israel's next generation, 0:19:58.880 --> 0:20:03.480 the generation that would take up the promise. Aaron found 0:20:03.520 --> 0:20:05.680 he did not know what to say to his son 0:20:05.960 --> 0:20:09.080 or his brother in these final moments. There were so 0:20:09.240 --> 0:20:14.280 many things to say, so instead of forcing something profound 0:20:14.400 --> 0:20:19.480 or strained, Aaron enjoyed the comforting silence found in walking 0:20:19.520 --> 0:20:23.119 with the ones he loved. When they reached the summit 0:20:23.160 --> 0:20:28.800 of the mountain, Moses helped Aaron remove his priestly garments. Together, 0:20:29.320 --> 0:20:32.760 they helped Eliza don the tunic, the ephod, and the 0:20:32.880 --> 0:20:36.919 robes equipped with the breastplate and all the insignia, and 0:20:37.080 --> 0:20:41.840 tied the sash about his waist. Finally, Aaron lifted the 0:20:41.920 --> 0:20:46.320 turban fixed with the holy diadem, proclaiming the words wholly 0:20:46.400 --> 0:20:49.840 to the Lord off his own head. As he held 0:20:49.880 --> 0:20:52.880 it before him, he felt the weight of the office 0:20:53.040 --> 0:20:57.879 melt away. Elieza bowed his head for his father, and 0:20:58.040 --> 0:21:02.040 Aaron placed it on him. Aaron looked at his empty 0:21:02.119 --> 0:21:06.040 hands and plain clothes and realized he had nothing else 0:21:06.119 --> 0:21:10.800 to give his son. His eyes brimmed with tears as 0:21:10.840 --> 0:21:15.199 he beheld the man his son had become. No not 0:21:15.359 --> 0:21:20.199 a man, a high priest, a man set apart for 0:21:20.320 --> 0:21:25.159 the Lord a man to guide and purify Israel, so 0:21:25.320 --> 0:21:27.680 that she would be a people who would be worthy 0:21:27.720 --> 0:21:31.040 of the calling of God, so that they might become 0:21:31.160 --> 0:21:36.359 a holy priesthood themselves. One day Aaron smiled through his 0:21:36.480 --> 0:21:39.600 tears and found he did have a few words left 0:21:39.640 --> 0:21:43.240 to say. He gave his son the only thing he 0:21:43.359 --> 0:21:48.159 still possess'd his blessing, and he spoke the blessing he 0:21:48.240 --> 0:21:51.720 had been taught to speak over Israel so long ago. 0:21:51.920 --> 0:21:55.639 May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the 0:21:55.760 --> 0:21:59.320 Lord make his face shine upon you. 0:22:00.080 --> 0:22:02.640 And be gracious unto you. 0:22:03.200 --> 0:22:06.680 Made the Lord look at you with favor, and give 0:22:06.760 --> 0:22:07.760 you peace. 0:22:07.880 --> 0:22:08.440 My son. 0:22:09.119 --> 0:22:13.280 Aaron's breaths became less laboured and more steady. As he 0:22:13.359 --> 0:22:17.640 sat on that hill, the sun's harsh rays became mild 0:22:17.680 --> 0:22:21.680 against the whistling wind. Aaron looked away from his brother 0:22:21.760 --> 0:22:25.880 and son and tilted his cheek upward. It is time, 0:22:26.400 --> 0:22:31.879 he leaned back and closed his eyes. Memories flashed before 0:22:31.960 --> 0:22:36.359 his weary eyes. Images of holding Moses, that fateful knight. 0:22:36.480 --> 0:22:40.800 Pharaoh's men came, Images of his father standing between him 0:22:40.840 --> 0:22:45.000 and the soldiers, Images of a lifetime under the toil 0:22:45.080 --> 0:22:50.240 of slavery, Images of the Lord performing wonders to free them. 0:22:50.600 --> 0:22:54.920 Aaron saw his moments of great faith and tragic failures 0:22:55.040 --> 0:22:59.639 rush around him, and then, as clear as the sunset 0:22:59.680 --> 0:23:04.919 casts skating before him, Aaron could see the future, a 0:23:05.040 --> 0:23:10.119 nation set apart by the Lord, a free people, a 0:23:10.280 --> 0:23:17.000 redeemed people had chosen people. Then, with a warm embrace 0:23:17.080 --> 0:23:21.800 and a gentle nudge forward, Aaron was ushered into eternity. 0:23:23.040 --> 0:23:26.280 Moses buried his brother on the top of Mount how 0:23:26.880 --> 0:23:29.800 and when he was finished, he made his way back 0:23:29.840 --> 0:23:34.200 down the mountain with Elieza, the new High Priest of Israel. 0:23:40.920 --> 0:23:44.800 The people had mourned Aaron for thirty days, and once 0:23:44.880 --> 0:23:48.680 their mourning was over, they continued their journey north along 0:23:48.720 --> 0:23:52.680 the Athim Road, following the border of the country of Edom, 0:23:53.119 --> 0:23:56.040 aiming to end up on the southeast corner of the 0:23:56.080 --> 0:24:00.600 Salt Sea. Once they got there, Canaan would lie directly 0:24:00.680 --> 0:24:03.360 to the west. If they were bold enough to enter, 0:24:04.240 --> 0:24:07.360 or if they should venture further east, they could try 0:24:07.400 --> 0:24:10.960 and skirt their way between the borders of Edom and Moab. 0:24:11.640 --> 0:24:14.600 The way was treacherous. They would have to go up 0:24:14.640 --> 0:24:17.639 and around the Salt Sea and enter Canaan from the 0:24:17.680 --> 0:24:21.239 north the Aradites had captured some of their men and 0:24:21.280 --> 0:24:26.200 were holding them hostage. Moses once again found himself debating 0:24:26.280 --> 0:24:31.560 diplomacy and war strategy, with Israel's next generation becoming a 0:24:31.600 --> 0:24:36.320 welcome and growing influence in their council meetings. Joshua suggested 0:24:36.320 --> 0:24:36.720 a plan. 0:24:37.480 --> 0:24:39.840 We have to assume if Edam knows were on the move, 0:24:40.440 --> 0:24:43.639 all our enemies will we have a bigger army. We 0:24:43.840 --> 0:24:47.840 moved slowly. This was a preemptive strike, maybe even at 0:24:47.880 --> 0:24:50.600 the treent like edom a Rod knows that we are 0:24:50.640 --> 0:24:53.159 not at war with anyone. But yet they attack us 0:24:53.200 --> 0:24:57.040 and take prisoners. Perhaps they mean to taunt us or 0:24:57.080 --> 0:25:00.200 scare us from entering their territory again, or. 0:25:00.119 --> 0:25:03.000 Or do they mean to finish where they started thirty 0:25:03.040 --> 0:25:04.280 eight years ago? 0:25:04.720 --> 0:25:07.120 Well, technically we started it. 0:25:07.480 --> 0:25:09.560 Perhaps we should prepare ourselves for war. 0:25:10.080 --> 0:25:13.680 They seem intent our phyllising in either way. Eliza cut 0:25:13.720 --> 0:25:16.080 in decisively and interrupted his brother. 0:25:16.440 --> 0:25:20.680 Enough with your cynicism, I Mar, it's not helpful, And Joshua, 0:25:20.840 --> 0:25:22.280 there will be more battles to come. 0:25:22.760 --> 0:25:24.280 This one was a skirmish. 0:25:25.160 --> 0:25:29.520 Moses looked up at Eliza, his new high priest, standing 0:25:29.560 --> 0:25:33.520 at his full height before them. A new found assurance 0:25:33.600 --> 0:25:34.640 had settled in him. 0:25:34.920 --> 0:25:37.960 If we want to be haunted by our past and fine. 0:25:37.960 --> 0:25:40.960 Let it be our teacher. Why did the campaign against 0:25:41.000 --> 0:25:41.960 the Canaanites fail? 0:25:42.520 --> 0:25:44.760 Why were we crushed against the walls of a rod 0:25:45.520 --> 0:25:48.040 Our forefathers went without the presence. 0:25:47.680 --> 0:25:48.280 Of the Lord? 0:25:49.040 --> 0:25:52.399 I remember the ark of the cousin had sat idle 0:25:52.480 --> 0:25:55.960 in Kadesh. Will They ventured up without a second thought. 0:25:56.680 --> 0:25:58.439 No one thought to pray and ask the Lord to 0:25:58.440 --> 0:26:02.600 be with them, thought about anything but the fear, and 0:26:02.680 --> 0:26:03.920 that is why they failed. 0:26:04.400 --> 0:26:08.360