Deuteronomy 9:25-29 – True intercession

was Moses was a true intercessor. He had deep compassion for the heart of God as well as a deep love for the people. Selflessly, he gave Himself to pray for the Israelites for 40 days and nights with fasting. Remember, when God in His anger wanted to destroy the people of Israel, he referred to them as Moses’ people. God actually said, “Arise, go down from here quickly, for your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly. They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them; they have made a molten image for themselves. I have seen these people, and indeed, it is a stubborn people. Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.”

Deuteronomy 9:25-29 give us a glimpse of how Moses went about interceding for the Israelites. Firstly, he persuaded God not to destroy them by reminding Him these were God’s own people and not his. In both verse 26 and verse 29, Moses reminded God that it was He who had personally delivered them, and made them His own possession. Besides, He had redeemed them by His greatness, with a mighty act of miracle from the hand of the Egyptians. Moses was essentially telling God that Israel was His heritage, and who would destroy one’s own heritage? He was basically asking how could God now go back on what He had done.

Secondly, in verse 27, he reminded God of His promise to the Patriarchs namely Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Here he was implicitly asking God how could He go back on His promise made to them? Thirdly, He reminded God of His reputation. He asked what would the pagans in Canaan think of Him, should He choose to destroy the children of Israel now? They would conclude that God was not able to honor His words to the Israelites, so He had them destroyed in the wilderness. He even postulated what the  Canaanites would think, that God hated the Israelites, so He had them all killed.   

We can see from the content of Moses' prayer that he had great consideration for both God’s character and reputation. He reminded Him of the promises that He had made, and he did not want the people observing what’s happening to conclude that God had gone back on  His words. Like God, Moses referred to the Israelites as a stubborn people as well. In his pleading, he did not minimize the sin of the people. neither must we when we are engaged in intercession. Next time when we intercede, remember God’s character and reputation. Seek to lay hold of God’s will and persist in prayer till His will be done. Another trait of an intercessor is perseverance. Don’t give up!