Journey Around Edom
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all the adults who left Egypt had perished in the wilderness. All felt
a foreboding of evil as they remembered the sentence pronounced
against Moses and Aaron. Some were aware of the object of that
mysterious journey to the summit of Mount Hor, and their solicitude
for their leaders was heightened by bitter memories and self-accusings.
The forms of Moses and Eleazar were at last discerned, slowly
descending the mountainside, but Aaron was not with them. Upon
Eleazar were the sacerdotal garments, showing that he had succeeded
his father in the sacred office. As the people with heavy hearts gathered
about their leader, Moses told them that Aaron had died in his arms
upon Mount Hor, and that they there buried him. The congregation
broke forth in mourning and lamentation, for they all loved Aaron,
though they had so often caused him sorrow. “They mourned for Aaron
thirty days, even all the house of Israel.”
Concerning the burial of Israel’s high priest, the Scriptures give
only the simple record, “There Aaron died, and there he was buried.”
Deuteronomy 10:6
. In what striking contrast to the customs of the
present day was this burial, conducted according to the express com-
mand of God. In modern times the funeral services of a man of high
position are often made the occasion of ostentatious and extravagant
display. When Aaron died, one of the most illustrious men that ever
lived, there were only two of his nearest friends to witness his death
and to attend his burial. And that lonely grave upon Mount Hor was
forever hidden from the sight of Israel. God is not honored in the
great display so often made over the dead, and the extravagant expense
incurred in returning their bodies to the dust.
The whole congregation sorrowed for Aaron, yet they could not
feel the loss so keenly as did Moses. The death of Aaron forcibly
reminded Moses that his own end was near; but short as the time
of his stay on earth must be, he deeply felt the loss of his constant
companion—the one who had shared his joys and sorrows, his hopes
and fears, for so many long years. Moses must now continue the work
alone; but he knew that God was his friend, and upon Him he leaned
more heavily.
Soon after leaving Mount Hor the Israelites suffered defeat in
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an engagement with Arad, one of the Canaanite kings. But as they
earnestly sought help from God, divine aid was granted them, and
their enemies were routed. This victory, instead of inspiring gratitude