A few weeks ago, I made a new friend. And I’m sharing that here because I think it should not be taken for granted when you make a new friend in adulthood. It should be celebrated, in fact. Whether you’ve bid farewell to the days of carpool line chatting or your children are no longer tumbling together at gymnastics, finding and keeping a friend takes real effort—an effort that can sometimes feel daunting.
This got me thinking about the origins of friendship, which run deep in the Bible. Okay, okay, we got off to a rocky start with Cain and Abel, and I wouldn’t say Jacob and Esau had the friendliest of relationships. But through enough trial and error, Moses and his brother Aaron seemed to strike a balance. Different upbringings, different roles within their community, and, in some ways, different communities themselves—Moses led the Israelites, while Aaron ran the elite Kohanic division. Despite their differences, Moses and Aaron remained eternal supporters, confidants, and role models to each other.
Their relationship serves as an ancient template for what friendship can be—complicated, yet rewarding. As I’ve learned with my new friend, building and maintaining a bond takes intention and understanding. So, what does the Bible actually say about friendship, and what can we apply today from the friendship between Moses and Aaron?
Moses and Aaron made history as one of the most powerful brotherly partnerships. While Moses was the chosen messenger of God, he relied on his older brother Aaron to be his voice and support. Their teamwork proved essential in freeing the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and guiding them toward their new homeland. Their bond and shared purpose helped them overcome challenges and lead their people through extraordinary times.
At the heart of Moses and Aaron’s collaboration is the moment at the Burning Bush when God appointed Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses’ reluctance, due to his concerns about his speaking abilities, leads God to designate Aaron as his spokesperson. This event not only cements the foundation of their joint leadership but also highlights their complementary roles—Moses as the visionary and Aaron as the voice (Exodus 4:10-16).
Their solidarity is further exemplified during their confrontations with Pharaoh, where Aaron’s miracles, such as turning his staff into a snake, serve as powerful reminders of God’s might. These acts point to their shared commitment to God’s directive and their joint mission to free the Israelites (Exodus 7:10-12).
Yet, their relationship is not without its strains. In the incident of the Golden Calf, Aaron yields to the people’s demands in Moses’ absence, marking a significant low point. Moses’ reaction upon his return—mingling disappointment with an understanding of their shared mission—reveals the depth of their bond and its complexities (Exodus 32).
A particularly poignant demonstration of their relationship occurs in the portion of the Torah in which Aaron is appointed to the High Priesthood. Throughout this portion there is no direct mention of Moses. This omission is intentional, showcasing Moses’ humility and his desire for Aaron to enjoy the limelight of this significant moment unshared. Moses’ willingness to step aside for his brother’s honor epitomizes selflessness and highlights the essence of their bond. This segment of scripture, devoted to the High Priest, illustrates Moses’ preference to support his brother from behind the scenes, allowing Aaron’s achievements to take center stage (Exodus 27:20–30:10).
The quintessence of their brotherly love is captured in Psalms:
According to Rabbi David Kimchi, this imagery of “fine oil on the head running down onto the beard, the beard of Aaron,” is a reference to Moses’ anointing of Aaron as the High Priest. This imagery not only celebrates their unity but also portrays Moses and Aaron as exemplars of harmonious brotherhood. Aaron’s joy in Moses’ leadership successes, and Moses’ readiness to support Aaron through missteps, illustrate an ideal of sibling unity, marked by mutual respect and shared joy in each other’s accomplishments.
The narrative of Aaron’s death on Mount Hor serves as a somber milestone, signifying not just a personal loss for Moses but also a shift in their shared leadership. The transfer of the high priestly role from Aaron to his son Eleazar signifies the continuation of their divine mission, albeit without the partnership that had steered the Israelites through numerous trials (Numbers 20:22-29).
The story of Moses and Aaron isn’t just ancient history – it’s a powerful lesson for today’s world. These brothers showed us what real partnership looks like: supporting each other, working through disagreements, and staying focused on their shared goals. Even when things got tough, they kept communicating and forgiving each other. Their story reminds us that strong relationships – whether in our personal lives or at work – need trust, understanding, and a willingness to stick together through challenges. In a world where genuine connections can feel rare, Moses and Aaron show us how faith in each other and true teamwork can accomplish the extraordinary.
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