This Is Aaron's Family

Exodus 6:23–25 (ESV) Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24 The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. 25 Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites by their clans.'

A strange thing appears in Exodus 6. Right in the middle of the action and just when the story gets really interesting a genealogical record shows up. Why now? 

Most Bible readers may be tempted to skip portions of scripture like this. But these passages are there by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to point us to Jesus and inform us how to live. 

One of the notable qualities of this genealogy is how incomplete it is. It is far from table of nations from Genesis 11. It is not as relevant as those genealogies of Christ that point back to Adam and Abraham in the Gospels. This genealogy appears fixated on one particular person: Aaron. This is Moses' brother and eventual first "High Priest" of Israel. God wants us to know where Aaron comes from, who he's related to and what we will see happen in the lives of those who serve alongside the high priest of Israel as the story unfolds.

First: the list has a number of good names. 

Exodus 6:16 (ESV) These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years.

These families were in charge of the temple. They were the "deacons" of the temple services. They would be like those who show up in church for everything. Every church has them. They go to the work days, they clean, they facilitate the physical needs of ministry with joy.

Eleazar was high priest at the installation of Joshua.

Phineas was a righteous man whom the Lord commended for his zeal. He put to death those who were mocking the Lord's commands and God established his line for the priesthood. That line lasted until A.D. 70!

Second: the list has a number of bad names.

Korah leads a rebellion against Moses out of jealousy.

Nadab and Abihu offer strange fire to the Lord and are instantly judged.

Good and bad were both in service to the Temple during the book of Exodus. This genealogy is setting us up what's to come in the story: Some served well, others were terrible. Some started good and ended poorly, others stayed the course and lasted until the very end. They were all related to Aaron.

I think the lesson here is for the Church to take heed! We are all in service alongside our true Great High Priest. But as time will tell and seasons change, not everyone is in it for the long term. Some are going to fade out, others will rise up in rebellion like Korah. At the same time, some will stand strong for the Lord in the face of adversity like Phineas. Some will endure for generations in faithful witness like the family of Kohath. 

The point for the Christian is this: Don't be surprised when people fade or fizzle out. Don't be shocked when those you thought were serving Christ actually start serving themselves in pride and arrogance. Don't be dismayed by the many who may not last. Keep your eye on your true and better Aaron. Keep serving. Be one of those good ones by God's grace! 

I've been around long enough to experience my fair share of Nadabs, Abihus and Korahs. There were many of them in the New Testament as well. Jesus said the tares will grow with the wheat. And Peter said, "These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved." 2 Peter 2:17 (ESV).

Our faith is not grounded in the men around us. We thank God for those who are strong in the Lord but ultimately, our hope and eternal security rests on Jesus! Keep your eye on Him!