What roles did Moses and Aaron have in guarding the sanctuary's entrance? Scene-Setter: The East-Side Placement • Numbers 3:38 places Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons “to the east of the tabernacle, in front of the Tent of Meeting, toward the sunrise.” • This eastern side was the only formal entrance (Exodus 26:36-37); anyone wishing to draw near had to come past their tents first. Why Position Equals Protection • Camping directly in front of the entrance made them the first—and decisive—line of defense. • Their presence reminded every Israelite that access to God is regulated, not casual (cf. Leviticus 10:1-3). Moses’ Guarding Role • Covenant Mediator: He received God’s word and taught it (Exodus 33:7-11), ensuring everyone knew the boundaries. • Judicial Authority: As chief judge (Exodus 18:13-26) he settled disputes about ritual purity or encroachment. • Spiritual Watchman: By intercession (Numbers 14:13-19) he pled for the people when boundaries were crossed. Aaron and His Sons’ Guarding Role • Priestly Service: “They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary” (Numbers 3:38). This included sacrifices, incense, lamp maintenance—acts that kept the holy place functioning. • Gatekeepers of Holiness: “Any outsider who approached was to be put to death” (3:38). Aaronic priests enforced that penalty (Numbers 18:1-7). • Continual Presence: Their daily offerings (Exodus 29:38-42) meant someone was always on duty at the doorway. A Two-Layer Shield 1. Moses guarded by authoritative word and judgment. 2. Aaron and sons guarded by consecrated service and physical enforcement. Together they formed a living barricade: truth plus priestly mediation. The Seriousness of the Charge • Uzzah’s death for touching the ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7) and Uzziah’s leprosy for unlawful incense (2 Chronicles 26:16-21) echo the same principle: unauthorized approach equals judgment. • Hebrews 9:6-7 recalls that “the priests enter regularly… but only the high priest enters the inner room, and that only once a year,” underscoring how guarded access pointed forward to Christ’s unique priesthood. Threads Forward to Christ • Jesus is both the greater Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22) and the eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). • He fulfills the guarding function by opening, yet still controlling, entrance: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9). • Through Him “we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19-22), a privilege once zealously protected by Moses and Aaron. Living Lessons • God sets boundaries around His holiness; respecting them is an act of worship. • Leadership in God’s house involves both teaching truth (Moses’ pattern) and maintaining pure worship (Aaron’s pattern). • The entrance to God is forever guarded—now by the pierced hands of our High Priest—so we approach with grateful reverence. |
    |