Aaron’s Feast

The man who spoke in Moses’ stead
And stood by Moses’ side,

The man who spoke in Moses’ stead
And stood by Moses’ side,
Who boldly lifted up his rod
And challenged Pharaoh’s pride;

The man who joined in Moses’ work,
Obeying God’s command,
Who helped to lead the flock of God,
And held up Moses’ hand;

The chosen servant of the Lord,
In holy garments dressed;
The names of all the house of God
He bore upon his breast:

A man so blessed through all his days,
A priest on God’s behalf,
Could he be moved by fickle man
To raise a golden calf?

Alas, he was and weakly claimed
It of itself appeared,
As if it were Almighty God,
To be adored and feared.

“A feast unto the Lord,” he said,
Proclaiming to the camp
A form by which to worship God
Which bore old Egypt’s stamp.

This kind of feast does still abound
To plague the church today,
And men as good as Aaron was
Say, “Eat and drink and play.”

Oh that the children of the Lord
Would wait to hear God’s voice,
And do those things that honor Him,
And make His ways their choice!

That they would worship Him in truth,
And leave the world behind;
Instead of entertaining games,
That they’d renew the mind;

The music fit for heathen gods
Would to the gods be hurled
With all supposéd worship tools
For folks that love the world,

Then rather, with a single eye,
The narrow path embrace,
And seek the holy fellowship,
That shone on Moses’ face.

Nita Brainard