The Sending Of Moses And Aaron.

THE SENDING OF MOSES AND AARON.

Psalm 105:23-26.

PSALM 105:23. “Israel also came into Egypt,” along with all his progeny. There they became “sojourners.” This is what Christians are: ‘strangers and pilgrims in the earth’ (cf. Hebrews 11:13). This world is not our home, we are just passing through. The tribes of Israel/ Jacob were drawn to Egypt by their need of food during a famine, and were initially welcomed by Pharaoh.

PSALM 105:24. There the LORD “increased His people” and “made them stronger” than the Egyptians. The children of Israel were ‘fruitful, and increased abundantly, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them’ (cf. Exodus 1:7). It was as if the whole of God’s creation blessing upon man (cf. Genesis 1:28) rested in this one family.

PSALM 105:25. “He turned their heart to hate His people,” to deal unkindly with His servants. When we are told that God ‘hardened’ the heart of Pharaoh (cf. Exodus 7:13), we are also told that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (cf. Exodus 8:32). God is not the author of sin, but sin is already there in men - and God is well able to turn it to His own ultimate purposes. Men would later deal unkindly with Jesus and thus unwittingly play their part in the great act of man’s redemption.

PSALM 105:26. Into this situation, God commissioned and “sent” Moses and Aaron, just as He had ‘sent’ Joseph before. Jesus, in His turn, ‘sent’ His disciples two by two.’ Two men plus God makes ‘a threefold cord which cannot be broken’ (cf. Ecclesiastes 4:12).