Free Thinkers part 3 Summary

The authority of Moses Vs the authority of Moses and Aaron

Part 3 Summary

Welcome back!

Hopefully you have read all of the studies in order and found them eye opening and answered some of your questions, and better yet, brought more questions to mind.

In part three of the series I provided you with five examples contrasting the authority of Aaron and Moses which were written by the “A” author; against the authority of Moses as portrayed by the “B” author.

Moses is always portrayed as being the leader of the children of Israel during the time of the Exodus. His authority was challenged on many occasions by the people as they grumbled or complained about the hardships they endured on the journey, as well as times when his leadership was brought into question by the people, and even by Aaron and Miriam on one occasion.

In the “A” accounts Aaron’s authority is derived from the authority of Moses, which is derived from the Creator. This gives Aaron’s authority legitimacy, validity and makes it above reproach. Examples are: The Creator tells Moses to speak to Aaron and tell him to take his staff… Moses tells Aaron; say unto the people … as the Lord commanded Moses, so Aaron did…

We wouldn’t dare to question Aaron’s authority! Or would we?

I propose to you that we do just that… Are you brave and daring enough to challenge his authority? Are you at least curious at the prospect? I hope so…

Exodus “A”

We highlighted the establishment of authority in our Part 2 #1 ‘The Burning bush’ study. In this “A” account in Exodus chapter four we read that Moses stated that he can’t speak well and denies that the Creator can help/cause him to speak properly to the people of Israel. The Creator is angered and it is revealed that (rather curiously), Moses’ brother is already coming to meet him and that he will become the spokesman of the Creator to the people instead of Moses.

This sets the stage for every future “A” account that features the authority of Aaron. After the Burning bush account Aaron speaks to the people and performs the signs before them.

In ‘The Plagues’ account in chapter seven Aaron is elevated to be Moses’ prophet and speaks to Pharaoh in his stead. We also read here that the “A” writer states that Aaron is older than Moses and thus holds the authority of the family as well. Aaron then goes on to challenge Pharaohs magicians. Aaron uses his rod to perform the ‘Rod to serpent’, ‘water to blood’, ‘frogs’ and ‘lice’ challenges.

In the next “A” account In Exodus chapter sixteen ‘Bread from Heaven’ the writer states that the people murmured against Moses and Aaron. Aaron continues to be Moses’ spokesman. Moses instructs Aaron to take an omer of manna put it in a pot and place it with the ‘Testimony’ (Which is the Ten Commands tablets that are in the ark that Moses had made for them). (Subliminally or consciously most people interpret this action as a symbolically priestly rite).

If you have not done so, please read the ‘AUTHORITY’ study tool. This will give you a deeper context for the studies.

Numbers “A”

We read in the “A” ‘The Spies’ account in chapter thirteen that the spies return and report to Moses and Aaron. We then read that the people murmured against Moses and Aaron. Moses and Aaron then prostrate themselves before the people. The Creator speaks to them and tells them that because of their murmurings these people will not enter into the “promised” land and they would wander in the wilderness for forty years.

In the next “A” Numbers account in chapter sixteen we read ‘The Rebellion of Korah’. In this account Korah and two hundred and fifty Levite leaders rose up against Moses and Aaron, stating that they equally deserved to serve the Creator in the Priestly capacity. Moses chastises them for murmuring against Aaron because they desired to serve the Creator as he did. Fire consumed them, the Creator told Moses to tell Eleazar (Aaron’s son) to collect the censers of those who had burned in the fire so they could be used to cover the ‘brazen’ altar. The people murmured against Moses and Aaron because they blamed them for the death of the Levite leaders. The Creator states that He will consume the people for their murmuring. A plague breaks out amongst the people and Moses tells Aaron to take incense out amongst the people to stop it.

Note: If you are attentive you will see that this account establishes/highlights several Priestly matters. The symbolic passing/giving of the authority baton from Aaron to his son Eleazar. The use of censers and incense for ritual use, offerings to the Creator, The ‘brazen’ altar, the Tabernacle of the Congregation as a place of worship, and the idea/ritual of atonement to cover the ‘sins’ of the people.

In the “A” ‘The Waters of Meribah’ account the people rise up against Moses and Aaron because they fear dying in the wilderness because they don’t have water. Moses and Aaron go to the door of ‘The Tabernacle of the congregation’ and prostrate themselves. The Creator instructs Moses to take Aaron with him; assemble the people take “the rod” and speak to the rock. Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it and the Creator speaks to Moses and Aaron and tells them that they will not be with the people when they enter the land because they did not ‘sanctify’ (Qadash) a word used to refer to something ritually/priestly or morally clean.

Exodus “B”

‘The Plagues’

The Creator speaks with Moses; Moses uses his staff to bring about the plagues. The recurring theme is Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he will not let the people go so they can “serve” the Creator. There is no mention of Aaron, the priesthood or priestly rites. (Besides scribal insertions)

‘Flesh from Heaven’

Moses is the leader and intercessor. He faces the weeping and complaining himself until the Creator tells him to select seventy elders to help him manage the people. There is no mention of Aaron, the priesthood or priestly rites.

Numbers “B”

‘The Spies’

Moses sent spies to go up into the mountain and search the land to see how strong the people and their cities were. The spies searched the land, arrived at wadi Eshcol and collected grapes, pomegranates and figs and returned to Moses at the Israelite camp. They told Moses that the land was very good and showed him the fruit they had brought with them. They then told him of the walled cities and the children of Anak. The people cried and wept and stated that they should make a captain over them who would take them back to Egypt.

The Creator is angered and threatens to destroy them for their lack of trust. Moses petitions the Creator to spare the people and He relents. There is no mention of Aaron, the priesthood or priestly rites.

‘The Rebellion of Dathan and Abiram’

Dathan, Abiram and On rise up against Moses leadership and complain that they have still not made it to the new lands “that flow with milk and honey”. Moses tells the congregation to remove themselves from around the tents of Dathan and Abiram. The tents, family and possessions were swallowed into the earth. There is no mention of Aaron, the priesthood or priestly rites. (Besides scribal insertions)

‘The Waters of Meribah’

In this account we read that the people complained to Moses because they needed water. Moses calls out to the Creator. The Creator tells Moses to gather the elders of the people and take the rod that he struck the river with and strike the rock, and he did as he was instructed. There is no mention of Aaron, the priesthood or priestly rites.

After completing the series from the beginning, you should easily be able to detect patterns and distinguish between the two authors by their writing styles, story context, key words and key people. In Part four of the series we will add to the knowledge we have gained and explore the deliberate additions that laid the foundations for the biblical priesthood and its rituals, observances, statutes and rulings.

Author: Hoyt Allen Spiker - 2024

Please join us for the fourth portion of the series - Part 4 #1 – In the Beginning

The creation of the Israelite Priesthood by the “A” writer(s)