Topical Bible: Prayer: Answered: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel

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Prayer is a central theme in the Bible, serving as a means of communication between God and His people. Throughout the Scriptures, numerous instances illustrate how God responds to the prayers of His faithful servants. Among these, the prayers of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel stand out as significant examples of answered prayer, demonstrating God's faithfulness and the power of intercession.

Moses

Moses, the great leader and prophet of Israel, frequently turned to God in prayer, especially during times of crisis. One notable instance of answered prayer is found in the aftermath of the Israelites' sin with the golden calf. When God expressed His intention to destroy the people and make a great nation from Moses, Moses interceded on their behalf. He appealed to God's promises and reputation, saying, "Turn from Your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on Your people" (Exodus 32:12). In response to Moses' fervent prayer, the Lord relented from the disaster He had threatened (Exodus 32:14).

Another significant moment of answered prayer occurred when the Israelites complained about the lack of water at Meribah. God instructed Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. Although Moses struck the rock instead, water still flowed, demonstrating God's provision despite Moses' disobedience (Numbers 20:7-11). This incident underscores God's mercy and His willingness to answer the needs of His people through Moses' leadership.

Aaron

Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, also experienced answered prayer. During a rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the earth opened and swallowed the rebels as a divine judgment. Following this, the congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron, accusing them of killing the Lord's people. In response, God sent a plague among the Israelites. Aaron, at Moses' instruction, took his censer, ran into the midst of the assembly, and made atonement for the people. His intercession stopped the plague, as recorded in Numbers 16:46-48 : "He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted." Aaron's prayerful action highlights the power of intercession and God's readiness to respond to the pleas of His appointed servants.

Samuel

Samuel, the last judge of Israel and a prophet, was known for his deep commitment to prayer. From his youth, he served in the house of the Lord, and his life was marked by a close relationship with God. One of the most remarkable instances of answered prayer in Samuel's life occurred when the Israelites faced the threat of the Philistines. The people of Israel, recognizing their need for divine intervention, asked Samuel to pray for them. Samuel offered a burnt offering and cried out to the Lord on Israel's behalf. The Lord answered by thundering against the Philistines, throwing them into confusion and granting Israel a decisive victory (1 Samuel 7:9-10).

Samuel's role as an intercessor is further emphasized when the Israelites demanded a king. Despite his personal disapproval, Samuel prayed to the Lord, who instructed him to heed the people's request. Samuel's obedience and prayerful attitude demonstrate his reliance on God's guidance and his commitment to serving the people according to God's will (1 Samuel 8:6-7).

In each of these examples, the prayers of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel reveal the dynamic relationship between God and His chosen leaders. Their prayers were marked by sincerity, urgency, and a deep trust in God's character and promises. Through their intercession, God demonstrated His power, mercy, and faithfulness, providing guidance, deliverance, and provision for His people.

Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 99:6
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call on his name; they called on the LORD, and he answered them.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have ... and gloriously executed, was it by
Moses, by Ezra ... great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Now God's gracious designs are answered, he removed the ... there a mightier prophet
than Moses, and never one more intensely earnest in intercessory prayer. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

Olney Hymns
... LEVITICUS. Hymn 19 The true AARON Lev 8:7-9. NUMBERS. ... December 13, 1776. Hymn 66
MOSES and AMALEK. ... Hymn 35 Perplexity relieved. Hymn 36 Prayer answered by crosses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/

Joshua
... Eleazar the priest associated with him as Aaron with Moses (Exodus 8:5 ... Sun, be thou
still," and if this be the prayer, it would perhaps be answered by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/joshua.htm

Moses the Type of Christ.
... trifling turn of mind,"by neglect of prayer when there ... promise to accept the exchange,
but He answered, "Whosover hath ... I blot out of My book." Moses was not ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon ix moses the type.htm

The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as ...
... manna which rained from heaven at his prayer;"did not ... debatable points for granted,
the cavil is easily answered. ... Suppose that Moses was the inventor of the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 the credibility of.htm

The King after Man's Heart
... And they answered, He is witness.6. And Samuel said unto ... unto the Lord, then the
Lord sent Moses and Aaron ... The experience of God's responses to prayer does not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the king after mans heart.htm

Book 3 Footnotes
... the constant use of divine forms of prayer, praise, and ... all along from the days of
Moses and Joshua ... consulted the prophets sometimes, and were answered by them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 3 footnotes.htm

Repentance and victory
... They called upon the Lord, and He answered them'), and ... reaches its perfection in
the prevailing prayer of our ... High-priest, who, like Samuel and Moses, is on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines ... came to pass, as we
went to prayer, a certain ... These sorcerers who withstood Moses, we learn by Paul ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm