“These are they which spake to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt: these are that Moses and Aaron.”
Exodus 6:27 is a verse that serves as a transition within the narrative of the book of Exodus. It provides a summary of the individuals who spoke to Pharaoh with the purpose of delivering the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt. Let’s explore the context and significance of this verse in the broader biblical narrative.
The book of Exodus recounts the story of the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and their journey toward the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses. In the preceding verses, God had commissioned Moses and Aaron, his brother, to act as His representatives before Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelite people.
Exodus 6:27 affirms the identities of Moses and Aaron as the chosen messengers who approached Pharaoh. It emphasizes their role as the primary spokespersons during this critical time in Israel’s history. Moses, called by God at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-10), and Aaron, his brother, who was appointed by God as Moses’ mouthpiece (Exodus 4:14-16), were entrusted with the crucial task of confronting Pharaoh and demanding the freedom of the Israelites.
This verse highlights the significance of human agents in God’s divine plan. Despite Moses initially expressing hesitations and insecurities about his speaking abilities (Exodus 4:10), God equipped him with Aaron’s assistance and guided them both throughout their interactions with Pharaoh. Through their obedience, faithfulness, and reliance on God’s power, Moses and Aaron played instrumental roles in delivering God’s message to the Egyptian ruler and initiating the process of liberation for the Israelites.
Moreover, Exodus 6:27 underscores the historical nature of the events described in the book of Exodus. It presents Moses and Aaron as real historical figures who were involved in engaging with Pharaoh. Their actions and dialogue with Pharaoh were pivotal in the subsequent plagues and the ultimate release of the Israelites from slavery.
Overall, Exodus 6:27 serves as a bridge between the introduction of Moses and Aaron as God’s chosen representatives and the subsequent account of their encounters with Pharaoh. It emphasizes the importance of human participation in God’s redemptive plans and highlights the faithfulness of Moses and Aaron in fulfilling their roles as messengers and leaders of the Israelite people during their exodus from Egypt.
