This verse teaches us about God’s righteous judgment, Moses’ pivotal intercessory role, and God’s merciful readiness to forgive.
“Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” (v.23) This verse describes a moment when the LORD, displeased with the people of Israel, was prepared to consume them in His judgment. The psalmist reminds us of how Moses His chosen one stood in the breach (v.23), advocating on behalf of the Israelites and imploring God to show mercy instead. Moses, who lived during the 15th century BC (some traditions place the Exodus around 1446 BC), occupies a pivotal place in biblical history as both a deliverer and an intercessor of God’s covenant people (Exodus 32:11-14). By calling Moses the “chosen one,” the psalmist underscores that this humble leader was specially designated by God to guide Israel out of Egypt and serve as a conduit for God’s life-giving words John 1:17).
When He said that He would destroy them (v.23), it highlights the severity of Israel’s rebellion. The text emphasizes that Moses’ role was to turn away His wrath, revealing the power of intercession and the mercy God is willing to show when His people repent. Historically, Moses stands at the intersection of the Exodus and the formation of Israel’s national identity, bridging between their captivity in Egypt and their beginnings as a free people following God’s instructions. The fact that he stood in the breach before Him (v.23) paints a vivid image of a spiritual wall broken by sin, with Moses stepping in to protect the people from God’s rightful judgment.
This verse also foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The deliverance Moses provided in the wilderness, interceding so that destruction would not fall, anticipates the ultimate deliverance Jesus accomplishes through His atoning sacrifice—He turns away God’s wrath by paying the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8-9). Readers today can be comforted in the knowledge that God’s mercy and willingness to forgive are revealed throughout Scripture and culminate in Christ’s redemptive work, mirroring the faithful intercession of Moses.
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Psalms 106:23 meaning
“Therefore He said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” (v.23) This verse describes a moment when the LORD, displeased with the people of Israel, was prepared to consume them in His judgment. The psalmist reminds us of how Moses His chosen one stood in the breach (v.23), advocating on behalf of the Israelites and imploring God to show mercy instead. Moses, who lived during the 15th century BC (some traditions place the Exodus around 1446 BC), occupies a pivotal place in biblical history as both a deliverer and an intercessor of God’s covenant people (Exodus 32:11-14). By calling Moses the “chosen one,” the psalmist underscores that this humble leader was specially designated by God to guide Israel out of Egypt and serve as a conduit for God’s life-giving words John 1:17).
When He said that He would destroy them (v.23), it highlights the severity of Israel’s rebellion. The text emphasizes that Moses’ role was to turn away His wrath, revealing the power of intercession and the mercy God is willing to show when His people repent. Historically, Moses stands at the intersection of the Exodus and the formation of Israel’s national identity, bridging between their captivity in Egypt and their beginnings as a free people following God’s instructions. The fact that he stood in the breach before Him (v.23) paints a vivid image of a spiritual wall broken by sin, with Moses stepping in to protect the people from God’s rightful judgment.
This verse also foreshadows the work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly mediates between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). The deliverance Moses provided in the wilderness, interceding so that destruction would not fall, anticipates the ultimate deliverance Jesus accomplishes through His atoning sacrifice—He turns away God’s wrath by paying the penalty for our sin (Romans 5:8-9). Readers today can be comforted in the knowledge that God’s mercy and willingness to forgive are revealed throughout Scripture and culminate in Christ’s redemptive work, mirroring the faithful intercession of Moses.