Biblical Examples of Intercession
Genesis 18:22-24 - "The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?" (NIV)
Exodus 32:11, 14 - "But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “O Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened." (NIV)
1 Kings 18:38-39 - "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord–he is God! The Lord–he is God!'” (NIV)
Daniel 10:12 - "Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." (NIV)
Isaiah 53:12 - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Abraham
Three men (angels, one possibly could have been Jesus himself) came to visit Abraham and tell him about the birth of his baby. What a shock! Before these men left, the men told Abraham that they were going to visit Sodom and Gomorrah to see if the reports of their wickedness was true. If so, they would have to destroy those cities. Abraham stood before the Lord and pled for the salvation of the cities on behalf of his nephew, Lot. In Genesis 18:16-33, we see how God works with Abraham's intercession. As Abraham continued to negotiate the terms of Sodom and Gomorrah's salvation, God did not back away. He fully engaged with Abraham. In the end, there were not even ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah that God would spare the cities for. Lot and his family escaped, but just barely. How amazing it is that God would put himself in the position of working with his people to see his purposes come about.
Moses
When Israel began worshipping a golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai, God was angry. He had just removed Israel from the physical bondage of slavery in Egypt and the spiritual bondage of idolatry. In the moment of their rebellion, God was detailing his loving laws to Moses. God took very personally Israel's rebellion in turning to other gods. Moses stood in the gap on behalf of the Israelites, pleading with the Lord not to destroy his people. Again, it is a wonder that God chooses to engage with his people in accomplishing his purposes on the earth. It seems that God was pleased that Moses had interceded on behalf of Israel. He relented and did not destroy Israel.
Elijah
In 1 Kings 18 we see Elijah calling out on God to reveal his power to the Israelites, so that they would know that the Lord is God. And God responds to Elijah's prayers. He works with his people to accomplish spiritual breakthrough on the earth. Right after God's revelation of power on top of Mt. Carmel, God responds to Elijah's persistent prayer for rain. God even works with his people for breakthrough in the physical realm.
Daniel
Daniel was a man of prayer and faith. As he prayed, an angelic response was released. After much battle in the heavenly realms, the angel made it to Daniel with the answer. As we step into the place of intercession, we contribute to the heavenly battle being waged over people and nations. Our prayers matter!
Jesus
Jesus is the ultimate intercessor. He did the work that no man could do. He offered his body as the sacrifice for the sin of humanity, making intercession between the Father and his creation. We now have the privilege of spreading out the news of Jesus' intercessory work. "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:19-20 NIV).
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Isaiah 53:12 - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Exodus 32:11, 14 - "But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “O Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened." (NIV)
1 Kings 18:38-39 - "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord–he is God! The Lord–he is God!'” (NIV)
Daniel 10:12 - "Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." (NIV)
Isaiah 53:12 - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Abraham
Three men (angels, one possibly could have been Jesus himself) came to visit Abraham and tell him about the birth of his baby. What a shock! Before these men left, the men told Abraham that they were going to visit Sodom and Gomorrah to see if the reports of their wickedness was true. If so, they would have to destroy those cities. Abraham stood before the Lord and pled for the salvation of the cities on behalf of his nephew, Lot. In Genesis 18:16-33, we see how God works with Abraham's intercession. As Abraham continued to negotiate the terms of Sodom and Gomorrah's salvation, God did not back away. He fully engaged with Abraham. In the end, there were not even ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah that God would spare the cities for. Lot and his family escaped, but just barely. How amazing it is that God would put himself in the position of working with his people to see his purposes come about.
Moses
When Israel began worshipping a golden calf at the foot of Mt. Sinai, God was angry. He had just removed Israel from the physical bondage of slavery in Egypt and the spiritual bondage of idolatry. In the moment of their rebellion, God was detailing his loving laws to Moses. God took very personally Israel's rebellion in turning to other gods. Moses stood in the gap on behalf of the Israelites, pleading with the Lord not to destroy his people. Again, it is a wonder that God chooses to engage with his people in accomplishing his purposes on the earth. It seems that God was pleased that Moses had interceded on behalf of Israel. He relented and did not destroy Israel.
Elijah
In 1 Kings 18 we see Elijah calling out on God to reveal his power to the Israelites, so that they would know that the Lord is God. And God responds to Elijah's prayers. He works with his people to accomplish spiritual breakthrough on the earth. Right after God's revelation of power on top of Mt. Carmel, God responds to Elijah's persistent prayer for rain. God even works with his people for breakthrough in the physical realm.
Daniel
Daniel was a man of prayer and faith. As he prayed, an angelic response was released. After much battle in the heavenly realms, the angel made it to Daniel with the answer. As we step into the place of intercession, we contribute to the heavenly battle being waged over people and nations. Our prayers matter!
Jesus
Jesus is the ultimate intercessor. He did the work that no man could do. He offered his body as the sacrifice for the sin of humanity, making intercession between the Father and his creation. We now have the privilege of spreading out the news of Jesus' intercessory work. "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Cor. 5:19-20 NIV).
For More Study
- Genesis 18:16-33
- Exodus 32
- 1 Kings 18:16-46
- Daniel 10:4-21
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Why do you think God chooses to work through people to accomplish his purposes on the earth?
- Does God take a risk in working with and through his people?
- Is there a person or family that you could intercede for in the same way that Abraham, Moses or Elijah did?
Memorization
Isaiah 53:12 - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
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