Topical Bible: Intercession: Answered: when the Fire of the Lord Consumed the People

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In the biblical narrative, intercession is a recurring theme where individuals stand in the gap between God and humanity, pleading for mercy, guidance, or intervention. One significant instance of intercession is found in the Book of Numbers, where Moses intercedes on behalf of the Israelites when the fire of the Lord consumes the people.

Context and Background

The Israelites, having been delivered from Egypt, were journeying through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the people frequently complained and rebelled against God and Moses. In Numbers 11, the Israelites expressed their dissatisfaction with their circumstances, leading to divine displeasure.

The Incident

Numbers 11:1-3 describes the event: "Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard them. When He heard His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. So that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them."

The Role of Intercession

In this passage, Moses acts as an intercessor for the Israelites. Despite their grumbling and lack of faith, Moses steps in to plead with God on their behalf. His prayer is effective, and the fire that had begun to consume the camp is quenched. This act of intercession highlights several key aspects:

1. Moses' Leadership and Compassion: Moses demonstrates a deep sense of responsibility and compassion for the people he leads. Despite their complaints against him, he does not hesitate to seek God's mercy for them.

2. God's Response to Intercession: The narrative illustrates that God is responsive to the prayers of a righteous intercessor. Moses' prayer leads to the cessation of the divine judgment, showing that God is willing to relent from sending calamity when His people turn to Him in repentance and prayer.

3. The Power of Prayer: This event underscores the power of prayer in altering circumstances and averting disaster. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's intervention in times of crisis.

4. The Consequences of Disobedience: While intercession can lead to mercy, the incident also serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and ingratitude. The fire of the Lord was a direct response to the people's complaints, emphasizing the seriousness of their rebellion.

Theological Implications

The account of Moses' intercession when the fire of the Lord consumed the people is a profound example of the mediating role that leaders and prophets often played in the Old Testament. It foreshadows the ultimate intercessor, Jesus Christ, who stands between God and humanity, offering Himself as a sacrifice for sin and continually interceding for believers (Hebrews 7:25).

This narrative also reflects the character of God as both just and merciful. While He does not tolerate sin, He is also willing to forgive and restore those who turn to Him in repentance. The incident at Taberah serves as a powerful reminder of the need for faithful intercessors who will stand in the gap and seek God's mercy on behalf of others.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 11:1,2
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Moses, the Mighty Intercessor
... But Moses made tender and earnest intercession for his sister ... Moses, and when unto
the Lord, the fire was quenched ... when prayed, and always was he answered by God ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/iv moses the mighty intercessor.htm

The First Book
... after the commission of his crime, he answered that he ... God did not even yield to
the intercession of the ... were struck down at once and consumed by divine fire. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... God answered the cry, whatever its fault, and that may ... which was illustrated in
Abraham's intercession, and even ... shall be reproduced; for the fire which shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers.
... they thy sons?" "They are," she answered, "and we ... to hasten back and obtain her
Archbishop's farther intercession. ... For when the visible fire is kindled: in it ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/iii the life as amplified by.htm

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... Love is a fire that will burn through every difficulty. ... The matron answered: "She
has been into the house thirty or forty times, and ... Love Inspires Intercession. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
... be a Prince with God, and to prevail by intercession? ... When God called Samuel, he
answered, "Speak, Lord, for ... them; when they walk through the fire, they shall ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvi the shepherd of.htm

Approaching Doom
... called unto them, but they have not answered." Verses 14 ... the penknife and cast it
into the fire that was ... of the princes, however, "had made intercession to the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Now God's gracious designs are answered, he removed the rod ... I commend the blessed
privilege of intercession, because of ... the God that answereth by fire, let him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

A Question for a Questioner
... still stands as a priest to make intercession for transgressors. ... the way to Christ."
The young man answered, "I beg ... I hope that word will be like fire in your ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/a question for a questioner.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... as John, they are baptized with this fire, and he ... The Holy Spirit that maketh
intercession for us shall ... a sad condemnation, yet what will be answered when it ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm