Numbers 14:13-19
Moses Intercedes for the People
But Moses said to the Lord, “Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for you brought up this people in your might from among them, and they will tell the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that you, O Lord, are in the midst of this people. For you, O Lord, are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if you kill this people as one man, then the nations who have heard your fame will say, ‘It is because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them that he has killed them in the wilderness.’ And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”
Tag: Intercessory Prayer is Based Upon God's Character
The nation of Israel, in this section of Numbers, is in a rebellious cycle toward Moses and Aaron, in regard to their leadership. Over these chapters there is a constant demand for their removal and a "shared" leadership format. God is not pleased with this "envy" in the hearts of these other leaders. As a result God is about to destroy them all. However, Moses steps in to intercede for these envious men. Moses could have simply allowed them to be consumed by God's anger. But, Moses considered the character of God and understood what that would mean to the witness of God and the reputation of God. Moses was not concerned about His own witness, but about God's character and God's testimony. God's character demanded that God grant them mercy and not destroy the entire nation. God would destroy these rebellious leaders. But, Moses was willing to intercede and ask God to remember His mercy and grace and steadfastness and love. He would ask God to "pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now." That is forgiveness based upon the character of God and NOT according to the performance of the people. We can be thankful that our salvation is NOT based upon our performance, but upon God's character and plan.
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