Something Deeper

But Moses objected. “What will the Egyptians think when they hear about it?” he asked the Lord. “They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing your people from Egypt. Now if you destroy them, the Egyptians will send a report to the inhabitants of this land, who have already heard that you live among your people. They know, Lord, that you have appeared to your people face to face and that your pillar of cloud hovers over them. They know that you go before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Now if you slaughter all these people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of your fame will say, ‘The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he swore to give them, so he killed them in the wilderness.’ [Number 14.13-16]

Is Moses' intercession for Israel manipulative?

We know that pride is the number one thing that God hates in His people. However, pride is something God very much possesses (and is capable of possessing) Himself. Perfection can handle pride. Sinful people cannot. That being said, Moses appealed to God's pride!

But, was it manipulation?

Interestingly enough, I don't think Moses' appeal to God's pride was a bad thing as we would think of manipulation. Something deeper is revealed. Moses was concerned for God's reputation! Moses was protective of God's reputation. For all that Moses himself had invested in Israel, his primary concern was not his own investment in them, but rather God's.

Moses is definitely a man to be studied. His character is exemplary to us all. His relationship with God is worth studying. Think about this: while Moses' intercession in fact served to preserve Israel, it primarily served to protect God's reputation. It is one thing to intercede for people because of their desperate need, but another thing altogether to intercede for them with God's interests at heart.

Was Moses actually "looking out for God"? Can a man give God counsel? It would appear that is exactly what Moses did!

Father, I really need to ponder all that Moses' intercession for Israel implies. I feel that I do not have Your interests at heart in most of my own prayer and intercession... help me to be changed.