Intercession, the act of intervening or mediating on behalf of another, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, particularly in the context of Israel. This divine advocacy is often seen through the prayers and actions of key biblical figures who sought God's favor and mercy for the nation of Israel.

Moses' Intercession for Israel

One of the most prominent examples of intercession for Israel is found in the life of Moses. After the Israelites constructed the golden calf at Mount Sinai, God's anger was kindled against them, and He threatened to destroy the nation. Moses, however, stood in the breach, pleading with God to spare His people. In Exodus 32:11-14 , Moses implores the Lord, reminding Him of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' intercession is effective, as the Lord relents from the disaster He had planned.

Samuel's Intercession

The prophet Samuel also played a significant role as an intercessor for Israel. In 1 Samuel 7:5-9 , Samuel calls the Israelites to Mizpah, where he prays to the Lord on their behalf. As the Philistines approach to attack, Samuel offers a burnt offering and cries out to the Lord, who responds by throwing the Philistines into confusion, granting Israel a decisive victory. Samuel's intercession underscores the power of prayer and sacrifice in seeking divine intervention.

Elijah's Intercession

Elijah, the prophet, is another key figure who interceded for Israel. In 1 Kings 18:36-39 , during the confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, Elijah prays for God to reveal Himself to the people of Israel. His prayer is answered with fire from heaven, turning the hearts of the Israelites back to the Lord. Elijah's intercession demonstrates the importance of faith and obedience in seeking God's intervention.

Hezekiah's Intercession

King Hezekiah's intercession for Israel is recorded in 2 Kings 19:14-19 . Faced with the threat of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah goes to the house of the Lord and spreads out the threatening letter from Sennacherib before God. He prays earnestly for deliverance, acknowledging God's sovereignty and asking for His intervention to save Israel. The Lord responds by sending an angel to destroy the Assyrian army, showcasing the power of sincere and humble prayer.

Daniel's Intercession

Daniel, during the Babylonian exile, interceded for Israel with fervent prayer and fasting. In Daniel 9:3-19 , he confesses the sins of Israel and pleads for God's mercy and restoration of Jerusalem. Daniel's prayer is characterized by deep humility and a profound understanding of God's righteousness and covenant promises. His intercession is met with a vision and prophecy concerning the future of Israel, highlighting the significance of persistent and heartfelt prayer.

Ezra's Intercession

Ezra, upon learning of the Israelites' intermarriage with foreign nations, intercedes for the people with a prayer of confession and repentance. In Ezra 9:5-15 , he falls on his knees, spreading out his hands to the Lord, acknowledging the nation's guilt and seeking God's forgiveness. Ezra's intercession leads to a communal act of repentance and renewal of the covenant, emphasizing the role of leadership in guiding the people back to God.

These instances of intercession for Israel illustrate the profound impact of prayer and mediation in the biblical narrative. Through the faithful intercession of individuals, God's mercy and grace are often extended to His people, reaffirming His covenantal relationship with Israel.Numbers 16:20-22
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
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Numbers 21:7
Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
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Deuteronomy 33:6-17
Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
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Psalm 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.
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Petilianus Said: "But what have You to do with the Kings of This.. ...
... to have obtained from the king through his intercession. ... of ancient examples, observe,
from instances taken from ... of the season excites additional fervor even ...
/.../chapter 93 202 petilianus.htm

The First Book
... perhaps you claim this as an additional proof that ... However, certain of the more
important instances will suffice ... did not even yield to the intercession of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

Chapter xxv
... in this passage or in other instances of the ... chapter are here summarized and the
additional notice is ... the only patriarch till now whose intercession is recorded ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxv.htm

Colossians i. 9, 10
... on the other hand, are countless instances that have ... as he does of the intercession
of Saints ... is epignosis, which etymologically signified additional or full ...
/.../homily ii colossians i 9.htm

Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ...
... But the greatest part of the instances above mentioned ... of prophets, appears from
those additional words at ... bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the ...
/.../xiv proposition xiv fifthly as.htm

Footnotes
... that protestation; and that upon the additional reason that ... He will make intercession
for us and reconcile ... Gataker's "God's Eye on his Israel","preface, Lond ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... in saving them by his atonement, mediation, and intercession; and the ... to the Son,
"Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I ... This is manifest by two instances. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... of the persecution and relating instances of strange ... Additional source material:
Hippolytus, Adversus Noetum, Refutatio, IX ... what key: "Men of Israel, let what I ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Form of Concord. AD 1577.
... in favor of Calvinism; in both instances he followed ... explained by Melanchthon; with
the additional difference that ... on account of Christ's intercession; 3. In ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 45 the form of.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... give you out of this book many such instances, for it ... the Lord shall all the seed
of Israel be justified ... right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

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