Why the Long Journey Around Edom
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was to be the place of Aaron’s death and burial. When the Israelites
came to this mountain, the divine command was addressed to Moses:
“Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount
Hor: and strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his
son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.”
Together these two aged men and the younger one toiled up the
mountain height. The heads of Moses and Aaron were white. Their
long and eventful lives had been marked with the deepest trials and the
greatest honors that had ever fallen to the lot of man. All their powers
had been developed, exalted, and dignified by communion with the
Infinite One. Their countenances gave evidence of great intellectual
power, firmness and nobility of purpose, and strong affections.
Many years together they had breasted unnumbered dangers, but
the time was at hand when they must be separated. They moved on
very slowly, for every moment in each other’s society was precious.
The ascent was steep and toilsome; and as they often paused to rest,
they communed together of the past and the future. Before them was
spread out the scene of their desert wanderings. In the plain below
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were encamped the vast hosts of Israel, for whom these chosen men
had spent the best portion of their lives and made great sacrifices.
Somewhere beyond the mountains of Edom was the path leading to
the Promised Land, that land whose blessings Moses and Aaron were
not to enjoy. A solemn sadness rested upon their countenances as
they remembered what had barred them from the inheritance of their
fathers.
Aaron’s work for Israel was done. Forty years before, at the age
of eighty-three, God had called him to unite with Moses in his great
mission. He had held up the great leader’s hands when the Hebrew
hosts gave battle to Amalek. He had been permitted to ascend Mount
Sinai, to behold the divine glory. The Lord had honored him with
the sacred consecration of high priest. He had sustained him in the
holy office by terrible manifestations of judgment in the destruction of
Korah and his company. When his two sons were slain for disregarding
God’s express command, he did not rebel or even murmur.
Yet the record of his noble life had been marred when he yielded to
the clamors of the people and made the golden calf at Sinai, and again
when he united with Miriam in murmuring against Moses. And he,