What does "I heard an unfamiliar language" signify about God's communication with Israel? Setting the Scene in Psalm 81 • The psalm opens with a summons to celebrate God at the new moon and full moon (vv. 1–4). • Verse 5 then looks back to Israel’s earliest national deliverance: “He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language.” (Psalm 81:5) • From v. 6 on, the speaker unmistakably becomes the LORD (“I relieved his shoulder from the burden…”). Reading v. 5 the same way keeps the flow intact. Who Is Speaking? • The “I” is the LORD Himself. • This keeps the psalm consistent: God recalls the Exodus (vv. 5–7), pleads for exclusive loyalty (vv. 8–10), and warns of consequences for disobedience (vv. 11–16). What Does “An Unfamiliar Language” Mean? Literal facts • Egypt’s tongue was foreign to Israel (cf. Psalm 114:1, “Judah became His sanctuary… from a people of foreign tongue”). • God heard the people’s groaning in that very setting (Exodus 2:23-25; 3:7-8). Layers of meaning 1. Alien environment – Israel was immersed in a culture, religion, and language that were not their own. – The phrase underscores how out-of-place God’s covenant people were in Egypt. 2. Divine attentiveness beyond human barriers – Humanly speaking, language separates; divinely, it cannot hinder. – God “heard” them despite the surrounding speech being “unfamiliar.” – He proves He is “the LORD who sees” and “the LORD who hears” (Genesis 16:13; Exodus 3:7). 3. Contrast with God’s clear revelation – In Egypt, Israel heard voices they could not fully grasp; once delivered, they heard God’s unmistakable words at Sinai (Exodus 20:1). – The psalm moves from unfamiliar language (v. 5) to God’s direct commands (vv. 8-10), highlighting the difference between pagan chatter and covenant clarity. 4. Warning for the future – Later prophecies threaten conquest by nations “whose language you will not understand” (Deuteronomy 28:49; Jeremiah 5:15) if Israel abandons the covenant. – Remembering Egypt’s “unfamiliar language” should motivate Israel to cling to the Lord who speaks plainly. What This Reveals about God’s Communication with Israel • He initiates: God steps into a setting clouded by linguistic and cultural distance. • He understands perfectly: No human barrier limits His knowledge (Psalm 139:1-4). • He responds personally: “I relieved his shoulder from the burden” (Psalm 81:6). • He expects reciprocal listening: “Hear, O My people, and I will warn you” (v. 8). • He distinguishes His voice from all others: “You shall have no foreign god among you” (v. 9). Key Takeaways • God’s hearing is not blocked by foreign tongues; His covenant love penetrates every barrier. • Israel’s deliverance began with God’s attentive ear and ended with God’s articulate law. • Remembering the “unfamiliar language” of Egypt should deepen gratitude for the familiar, living voice of Scripture. |
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