Psalms 106:23
Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
Psalms 106:23
Verse 23 tells of God’s intention to destroy Israel, had Moses not interceded in the breach. “The breach” represents a mediator-like posture—Moses standing between God’s righteous anger and the people, appealing to God’s covenant mercy. The historical backdrop is the wilderness generation’s constant grumbling and covenant-breaking deeds. Moses stands as a type of a servant-leader who intercedes in prayer, arguing from God’s own reputation and promises rather than the people’s merit. This verse emphasizes that intercession and petitionary prayer can alter divine action, aligning it with mercy rather than immediate justice. It also underscores the fragility of human faith and the power of steadfast intercession to avert catastrophe.
Mediation and intercession are central themes: Moses embodies a foretaste of the intercessor who would come in later biblical revelation. The verse highlights God’s responsiveness to intercessory prayer and covenant mercy. It shows that God’s justice and mercy are not contradictory but coexisting in the governance of salvation history. The theological heartbeat is God’s willingness to relent from judgment in response to faithful advocacy and repentance.
In contemporary life, we can learn from Moses’ example: intercede for others in prayer, especially when communities face collective danger or moral collapse. Intercessory prayer isn’t passive; it’s proactive pleading grounded in God’s promises. Practical steps: pray with colleagues for difficult situations, advocate for mercy and justice, and participate in community efforts that align with God’s heart for the vulnerable. The verse also invites humility: recognize our own unworthiness and the power of intercession to bring about change.
Cross-References: Exodus 32:11-14; Numbers 14:11-19; Romans 9:3; James 5:16