By David Ettinger
A Pleasant Surprise
As I was reading the Book of Numbers, I was pleasantly surprised by an
insight the Lord gave me. It concerned the death of Aaron, Israel’s
first high priest. The account reads this way:
… the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Aaron will be gathered to his people. … Get Aaron and his son Eleazar and take them up Mount Hor. Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, for Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will die there” (20:23-26).

On the surface, this may seem clear cut; something not requiring deep thought. Indeed, this is how I viewed this text for almost three decades … until reading it on this particular day. What was so insightful this time? The answer is, for the first time I saw in it a perfect picture of death and the Christian.
Breaking it Down
God’s command was obeyed: “They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain” (vv. 27-28).
Notice how orderly the process proceeds. Note how the congregation was gathered. Notice how we see no hesitancy on the part of the main players; no protesting God’s decision to end Aaron’s time on this earth. Note how the transfer of duty went from the original high priest to his successor. And notice the simplicity of the words, “And Aaron died there on top of the mountain.”
I tried to envision how this episode played out. Of course there would have been a solemnity to it as the God-anointed priesthood was involved, but I can well imagine the human aspect. I can see the men walking slowly up the rugged mountain, each engaged in his own thoughts. After all, Moses was about to lose his beloved brother, and Eleazar would be saying farewell to his esteemed father. As for Aaron, concerns regarding the “hereafter” may have been present.

Yet, a holy ritual was to be performed, and it was to be done with dignity and reverence. I’m sure it was. But what about after the transference of power from father to son? What about when the Lord’s commandment had been fulfilled and it was time for Aaron to die?
I can imagine quiet tears being shed as Aaron and Moses embraced, their long partnership over. And what about the final moment between Aaron and Eleazar? Surely there would have been another embrace, this one more intense, more heartfelt than the one between siblings.
And finally, what about Aaron’s final moment on this earth? Did he lie down? If so, was there a cloth provided so he would not have to place himself on dirt and rocks? I think so. And what about the moment he passed? Was he left alone with God, or did his loved ones stay with him until the Lord took him? I’m guessing the latter.
The Important Thing
But beyond any of these considerations, what I really see here is
tranquility. I see God’s ordaining of the entire episode and his
granting of peace and comfort to all involved. It is as if the Lord is
saying, “If you believe in Me, none of this has to be difficult. Of
course I expect you to shed tears, after all, you are about to lose
someone you love, and you, Aaron, are about to leave the only existence
you know. But your existence is not over. Far from it. You will now be
where I am, and where I am, there is joy.”
I believe the same death experience occurs with Christians. And yes, I know how horrible some deaths can be. Some believers leave this world wracked with excruciating pain, the results of a ravaging disease. Others die violently as martyrs, torture sometimes preceding their demise. But in it all, I see the Lord bestowing His peace and tranquility upon those who are His.

I have read the accounts of those who were burned at the stake, how they sang in the midst of the flames, and even smiled, joy filling their souls. How can this be? The only logical answer is that the Lord had descended upon those in their affliction, His assurance and peace washing over them at the moment of death. It was the Lord telling them that everything is just fine; that this is exactly what is supposed to happen.
Our Perfect Peace
Just as Aaron’s death was tranquil, so, I believe, is the death of all
believers who are walking with God. Of course the circumstances are
different and could well be terrible by human standards, but what is
similar is the unimaginable peace God will bestow during the final
moments, and the glimpse of the glory the believer is about to pass
into.
God’s wondrous tranquility at the time of death is the reason believers can proclaim, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
May this truth comfort you in these stormy and uncertain days!
Vincent S Artale Jr
March 26, 2019
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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bigskybuckeye
March 26, 2019
Thank you for sharing a powerful and redeeming picture of death. My thoughts go back to one of my grandmothers when she was taken to the Lord at age 99. She had lived a long, fulfilling life, and now her time would be with the Father.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Thanks for sharing, big sky. Your grandmother sounds like the perfect example of what faithful Christians can expect when they come to the end of this life. Amen.
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ken riddles
March 26, 2019
Great post – corruption puts on incorruption…
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Amen, Ken.
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seekingdivineperspective
March 26, 2019
How encouraging, especially what you said about the martyrs’ singing in the flames! I’m one of those who “don’t fear death, I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”
As a child I had a dream about being burned at the stake. The fires were lit, and I prayed. Before the flames could get to me, it had started to rain, and the fire was extinguished. I woke up smiling.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Amazing dream. Thank you for sharing that!
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 26, 2019
This is beautiful! I am pondering Elisha and Elijah in a new light from what you have written (2 Kings 2:12-15). Thanks for taking the time to share this!
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Thank you, and good point about the two prophets.
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seekingdivineperspective
March 26, 2019
Yes, it was just the kind of straightforward dream a child needs. Now that I’m older God makes me work a little harder to hear what He’s saying. 😉 Still, He’s like a dad standing just out of his toddler’s reach, to encourage the little one to keep walking. He wants us to get there.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Very true!
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Dee@Sealed in Christ
March 26, 2019
Wow, really great post. I, like you, had never seen this as a picture of death and the Christian. But on top of that, I see a picture of Christ’s death and the transference of His righteous life onto us, who have been redeemed. Both pictures are so amazing!! Thank you.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Great insights, Dee. Thank you!
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Kim Nolywaika
March 26, 2019
Reblogged this on You Can Trust Him. and commented:
Thank you for this, Mr. Ettinger.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Thank you, Kim.
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francesrogers
March 26, 2019
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” Psalm 116:15
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Amen, Frances!
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Nancy Medford
March 26, 2019
I agree with this writer. I have felt for some time that Drew had an amazing peace at the time of his passing. This article, supported by Script, indicates this. Especially for martyrs. God isn’t going to abandon us at any point. Thanks for sharing this. I continue to see the goodness of the Lord.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Amen, Nancy.
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heavensreef
March 26, 2019
All of this is such confirmation that there is a “peace that goes beyond understanding.” Thanks for this post of assurance!
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Thank you, Maxine!
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heavensreef
March 27, 2019
YOU are very welcome!
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vicklea
March 26, 2019
I love this, so I am re-blogging it. Many fear death but don’t realize how easy God means for it to be.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Thank you, Vickie.
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Bruce
March 26, 2019
Beautiful post David. I was thinking about you today while saying prayers. You really are a gift to so many of us. Blessings my friend.
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dettinger47
March 26, 2019
Very kind of you, Bruce. Deeply appreciated.
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Sonrisa
March 27, 2019
This is a very encouraging post. I was reading some articles of Christians dying for their faith in places around the world today. Many a horribly tortured yet they don’t deny Christ. Many times I think what if it is me?, would I have the courage? Would I fail? your post has reassured us that the Lord is with us till He receives us in glory.
Thank you. God bless you.
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dettinger47
March 27, 2019
Thank you for your insights, Sonrisa. I have thought the same things.
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