Intercession and Mercy

Harriet Tubman escaped from slavery in 1849. The next year, she returned and led her niece and two children to freedom. She went back 13 times and led approximately 70 slaves to freedom, becoming the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad. She was never caught, and she never lost a “passenger.” She also spied for Union forces during the Civil War. For her courage and leadership, she became known as the “Moses of her people.”

On several occasions, Moses rescued the Israelites from God’s wrath through intercessory prayer. As we read yesterday, he pleaded with the Lord not to destroy Israel (Ex. 32:11–14). After he’d chastised the people, he again prayed for them, even to the point of saying, “Please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written” (Ex. 32:31–32). God rejected this offer, but it showed Moses’ deep love for his people.

Moses was in such continuous prayer for Israel that he set up a “tent of meeting” outside the camp (33:7–11). Remarkably, God would meet there with him “face to face, as one speaks to a friend.” In today’s reading, Moses made three requests. First, he wanted a closer relationship with the Lord: “Teach me your ways so I may know you” (33:13). This prayer was answered in God’s proclamation of Himself as “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (34:6–7).

Second, Moses asked for God’s presence to accompany the people (33:15–16; 34:8–9). This request was granted, a response that was also due to their repentance (33:3–6). The covenant was restored. And third, Moses asked to see God’s glory, a request that was also granted, but only partially (33:18–21).

Pray with Us

Uphold general counsel Janet Stiven and her team in the Legal department in prayer before the Lord. Pray that God will give them wisdom in all they do. May He always be honored through the legal integrity of all Moody’s endeavors.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.