Exodus 34:8-9 – The heart of an intercessor

Moses desired so much to see God and he was graciously granted a moment to experience an unusual encounter with Him. No one could see God and yet live. So God improvised a way for him to catch a glimpse of the aftermath of His glory. When the crunch time came, and God was passing by and announcing His majestic name, it was already far too much for Moses to bear. So right there at the top of Mount Sinai, Moses fell on his face. Exodus 34:8 said that “Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship.” He assumed the best pose in the magnificent presence of the Almighty. He worshipped in deep reverence, prostrated himself and yielded in total submission. This is the only appropriate response in the presence of an awesome God!

Seizing the opportunity, Moses prayed again. We have seen how he prayed ever so often. This was another time he turned to talk to God. He took his position and stood in the gap between God and His people. Moses interceded. His prayer life is worth our emulation. By now he must have realized that one cannot afford not to pray in ministry. Like him, let us be aware that prayer is an exercise that will keep us on track with God.  

Hear his prayer in verse 9. “If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.” Closer scrutiny of Moses’ prayer reveals that he was very focused. Though he had prayed before, he kept coming back and repeated the request, although God had already stated that He would do that for His people. In prayer we may be requesting for what God has already promised, it is still the right thing to do. We pray with confidence because God has already made those promises. So, when we pray, we need to pray within the promises of God.

What God revealed Himself to Moses became the basis for how he prayed the way he did. God said that He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; and is the One who keeps lovingkindness and... forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin. Knowing that gave Moses the confidence to make his bold request. Notice in the last part of verse 9, he identified with the people. His exact words were, “…pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.” Isn’t this what Christ had done for us? Though He knew no sin He identified with us. On the cross, He prayed for our forgiveness as He died in our place. What a Saviour! What an Intercessor!