Meaning of Psalms 105:26

This verse, Psalms 105:26, serves as a concise yet powerful reminder of God's deliberate and sovereign intervention in human history, specifically through the chosen leadership of Moses and Aaron to liberate His people from Egyptian bondage. The Psalmist recounts a foundational event in Israel's history, highlighting God's active role in selecting and empowering individuals to carry out His divine purposes. This act of sending Moses and Aaron was not a random occurrence but a strategic deployment of His servants, underscoring God's covenant faithfulness and His ability to orchestrate complex events for the redemption of His chosen nation.

Context and Background

Psalms 105 is a hymn of praise that recounts God's mighty deeds throughout Israel's history, from the patriarchs to the Exodus. Verse 26 falls within the section detailing God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. Moses, born into Israelite slavery, was providentially preserved and educated in the Egyptian court before being called by God from the burning bush (Exodus 3). Aaron, Moses' elder brother, was appointed by God to be Moses' spokesman (Exodus 4:10-16). Their joint mission was to confront Pharaoh, demand the release of the Israelites, and execute God's judgments upon Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Election and Authority: The verse emphasizes that both Moses and Aaron were not self-appointed but were chosen and sent by God. This highlights the divine origin of their authority and the sacredness of their mission.
• Servanthood: They are referred to as "servant" (Moses) and "whom he had chosen" (Aaron), pointing to their role as instruments of God's will rather than independent actors. Their obedience and faithfulness in carrying out God's commands were paramount.
• Sovereignty in Deliverance: The selection and sending of these specific individuals are presented as part of God's overarching plan for the liberation of His people. It demonstrates God's direct involvement in the affairs of humanity to fulfill His promises.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This passage speaks to the principle that God calls and equips individuals for His purposes. For believers today, it underscores that God can use ordinary people, even those with perceived limitations (like Moses' hesitancy or Aaron's initial susceptibility to idolatry), to accomplish extraordinary feats. It encourages trust in God's ability to raise up leaders and guides for His church and to empower His people to fulfill His will in their lives and in the world. The faithfulness of Moses and Aaron serves as a model for obedience and reliance on divine guidance.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The Exodus narrative, initiated by Moses and Aaron, is a pivotal event in the Old Testament, establishing Israel as God's covenant people and demonstrating His power over oppressive forces. This event foreshadows the ultimate redemption brought about by Jesus Christ, who is Himself the ultimate Servant and chosen One of God. The pattern of God choosing and sending leaders to deliver His people is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, culminating in the sending of His Son.

Analogies

One analogy for God sending Moses and Aaron is a king dispatching trusted generals and diplomats to negotiate the release of his captured citizens. Another is a master craftsman selecting specific tools, each with its unique function, to build a magnificent structure. Moses, the primary negotiator and lawgiver, and Aaron, the priestly spokesman, were distinct but complementary instruments in God's hands for the monumental task of liberation.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 3:10: "So now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to say." This verse directly relates to God's commissioning of Moses, highlighting the divine empowerment for his task.
• Exodus 4:14: "Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and he said, 'Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well.'" This shows God's provision of Aaron as a complement to Moses, demonstrating His foresight in equipping His servants.
• Nehemiah 9:14: "You made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them, by your servant Moses, your precepts." This verse, like Psalms 105:26, acknowledges Moses as God's servant through whom divine commands were given, linking their leadership to the very foundation of Israel's law.
• John 1:17: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." This New Testament verse contrasts the law given through Moses with the grace and truth of Jesus, placing Moses' role within the larger redemptive history that points to Christ.