How can we apply Moses' example of intercession in our prayer life today? Setting the Scene • Israel has rebelled after the bad report of the spies (Numbers 14:1-10). • The LORD declares His intent to strike the nation and start again with Moses (14:11-12). • Moses steps between judgment and the people. In the middle of his plea we hear: “If You kill this people as one man, the nations which have heard of Your fame will say,” (Numbers 14:15). • Moses’ prayer saves the nation; God pardons (14:20) and adjusts, rather than cancels, His plan. What We See in Moses’ Intercession 1. Bold Approach • Moses does not shrink back; he speaks frankly with God (Hebrews 4:16 finds an Old-Testament echo here). 2. God-Centered Reasoning • He appeals to God’s own reputation among the nations (14:15-16). • He recalls God’s character: “slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion” (14:18, cf. Exodus 34:6-7). 3. Covenant Memory • Moses reminds God of His oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Deuteronomy 9:27). 4. Self-Denial • He refuses the offer of becoming a new nation himself (Numbers 14:12). • His concern is God’s glory, not personal promotion. 5. Persistence • This is not Moses’ first time standing in the gap (Exodus 32:11-14). Intercession became a habit, not a one-off event. Praying Moses-Style Today • Stand in the Gap ‑ Identify people, churches, communities, and nations teetering toward judgment. ‑ Verbally “step between” them and God, naming them before the throne (Ezekiel 22:30; 1 Timothy 2:1). • Appeal to God’s Character ‑ Rehearse Scriptures that reveal who He is: “gracious and compassionate” (Psalm 86:15), yet “by no means leave the guilty unpunished” (Numbers 14:18). ‑ Let God’s own words shape the prayer; He honors His self-revelation. • Remind Him of His Promises ‑ Quote covenant passages—e.g., Jeremiah 31:33-34; 2 Chronicles 7:14. ‑ Not because He forgets, but because faith grabs hold of what He said. • Seek His Glory Above All ‑ Ask, “How will this look to the watching world?” (Numbers 14:15-16). ‑ Frame requests around the fame of His Name (Psalm 115:1). • Embrace Self-Denial ‑ Release personal agendas. Intercession is others-oriented (Philippians 2:4). ‑ Be willing to carry a burden that costs time, emotion, even reputation (Galatians 6:2). • Persist Until Release ‑ Moses stayed at it forty days in one episode (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25). ‑ Keep praying until God gives peace that the matter is settled (Colossians 4:12). Encouraging Parallels Across Scripture • Abraham interceding for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-32) shows the power of negotiating mercy. • Samuel calls persistent prayer “far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). • Jesus lives forever to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25); the Spirit joins Him (Romans 8:26-27). Our prayers align with this ongoing heavenly ministry. • James 5:16 links fervent prayer with real results: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces results”. Practical Checklist □ Begin with adoration: magnify God’s greatness. □ Confess personal and corporate sin that might block mercy (Nehemiah 1:6-7). □ Present specific petitions for those in danger or need. □ Ground every request in Scripture’s promises and God’s character. □ Thank Him in advance, trusting His wise answer (1 John 5:14-15). Stepping Into the Gap Moses shows that a single believer, anchored in God’s word and passionate for His glory, can alter the destiny of many. Intercession today follows the same pattern: bold, scripture-saturated, others-focused, and persistent until God’s purpose of mercy triumphs. |
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