The Art of Intercession

One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” The Lord replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” [Exodus 33.12-17]

Here is the art of intercession displayed for all to see.

Moses identifies with God but also identifies with the people.

God told Moses clearly that He would go with him. But that was not good enough for Moses. Moses needed to hear God say He would go with Moses AND the people.

Today's entire reading strikes me as a lesson on Moses' learning to intercede and as a picture of the Messiah to come.

In Exodus 32.30-35, Moses failed in his initial intercession for the people:

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.” Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made.

Even though Moses used his own life and relationship with God as a bargaining chip in requesting that God forgive the people, God refused to acquiesce to Moses' request and remained firm that He (God) would erase the names of those who sinned. Consequently, a plague fell upon the people.

It was not until Moses began to understand that his asking forgiveness for the people was only as effective as he identified with the people that forgiveness was given!

 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.” [Exodus 34.5-9]

Notice that God said He forgives, but He also said He does not excuse the guilty. It was then that Moses is said to have "immediately" thrown himself on the ground and acknowledged the sin of the people but then did an amazing thing. Moses then included himself with the people in his request to be forgiven! Moses identified WITH the people essentially interceding for himself! Moses said, "please forgive OUR iniquity and OUR sins..."

My takeaway from this is that to effectively intercede for others, I must forgive them myself because I am part of them. If I am to succeed in securing forgiveness for others (the essence of all intercession), then I must identify with their sin to the point of asking forgiveness for myself!

Whew, this is difficult to convey! But it makes sense (at least in my head)! AND, this is precisely what Jesus Christ did on behalf of mankind! He asked God to forgive us while He Himself suffered for our sin as if He was the one who sinned!

Father, help me to further grasp the meaning of what it seems You are speaking to me today. As I continue to grow in my own prayer life, let me see Your power demonstrated on behalf of others as I relate to them!