Topical Bible: Judgments: May be Averted by Prayer

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In the biblical narrative, the concept of divine judgment is a recurring theme, often depicted as a response to human sin and disobedience. However, Scripture also reveals that such judgments can be averted through sincere prayer and repentance. This entry explores instances where prayer has played a pivotal role in altering the course of divine judgment.

1. Moses and the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:9-14):
When the Israelites crafted a golden calf and worshiped it, God's anger burned against them, and He declared His intention to destroy them. Moses, however, interceded on their behalf, appealing to God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. "So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people" (Exodus 32:14). Moses' prayer was instrumental in averting the immediate judgment.

2. Hezekiah's Illness (2 Kings 20:1-6):
King Hezekiah fell gravely ill, and the prophet Isaiah informed him of his impending death. In response, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed earnestly to the LORD, reminding God of his faithfulness and wholehearted devotion. God heard his prayer and added fifteen years to his life, as recorded: "I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you" (2 Kings 20:5).

3. Nineveh's Repentance (Jonah 3:4-10):
The city of Nineveh was destined for destruction due to its wickedness. However, upon hearing Jonah's proclamation of impending judgment, the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and donned sackcloth. Their king decreed that everyone should call urgently on God. "When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them" (Jonah 3:10).

4. Abraham's Intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18:22-33):
Abraham engaged in a profound dialogue with God concerning the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. He interceded for the cities, asking if God would spare them for the sake of fifty righteous people, then forty-five, and so on, down to ten. Although the cities were ultimately destroyed due to their pervasive wickedness, Abraham's intercession highlights the potential for prayer to influence divine judgment.

5. David's Sin and the Plague (2 Samuel 24:10-25):
After David sinned by conducting a census of Israel, God sent a plague as judgment. David acknowledged his sin and pleaded with God to spare the people. God instructed David to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. David's obedience and prayer led to the cessation of the plague: "The LORD answered the prayers on behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was halted" (2 Samuel 24:25).

6. The Intercession of Amos (Amos 7:1-6):
The prophet Amos received visions of impending judgments on Israel, including locusts and fire. In each case, Amos interceded, pleading for God's mercy. "So the LORD relented from this plan. 'It will not happen,' said the LORD" (Amos 7:3). Amos' intercession demonstrates the power of prayer in altering divine plans.

These biblical accounts underscore the profound impact of prayer in the face of divine judgment. They illustrate that God, in His mercy, is willing to relent when His people earnestly seek Him with contrite hearts.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 3:9-11
And when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 7:13,14
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances.
... while others strayed into ways of sin; if our judgments have been ... our wishes to certain
things that we desire may occur to, or be averted from ourselves or ...
/.../schleiermacher/selected sermons of schleiermacher/i the power of prayer.htm

Hezekiah
... Only by most decided reformation could be threatened judgments be averted. ... make a
covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... only this:"that a reform is necessary if the threatened judgments are to be averted. ...
that a question be expressed by words, but that it may be implied in ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap ii 25-apr 2-23.htm

Holy Exercises of Resignation.
... correspondence with the world, that so I may attend to ... to Thy most wise and secret
judgments concerning my ... in blood or friendship should be so averted from me ...
/.../holy exercises of resignation.htm

"Nineveh, that Great City"
... Their doom was averted, the God of Israel was exalted ... Thousands may thus be reached
with saving truth and ... In quick succession the judgments of God will follow ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 22 nineveh that great.htm

Appendix
... air in order that evil might be averted from every ... Yea, with greater blows, and with
judgments of greater intensity ... a greater length; but these hints may suffice ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/appendix.htm

Carried Captive into Babylon
... and thus to temper with mercy the judgments even now ... already half fulfilled, what
desolation might have been averted! ... I equal to thee, that I may comfort thee ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 37 carried captive into.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... are fast approaching, and which can be averted only by ... city" of Jerusalem, ripe for
the judgments of heaven ... The same may be said of his amplifications, as in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Covenant Duties.
... thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judgments. ... if possible, there might be
averted the crisis ... may be established, and prosperity may distinguish their ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Crucified, Dead, and Buried. '
... with Messiah, or even with the Messianic judgments, and the ... One of the soldiers -
may we not be allowed ... hindered in his good deed, yet averted the opposition ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xv crucified dead and.htm