Exodus 32-33 | The Intercession of a Truly Godly Leader

What is the mark of a genuinely godly leader? in the home, the church, the world? The greatness of a leader is not seen merely in the public place but in the prayer closet. And nowhere do we see this more brilliantly than in Moses' life in Exodus, Chapter 32.

UP ON THE MOUNTAIN AND DOWN IN THE VALLEY

Moses had been called up to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments in a glorious, personal encounter with God. While away, the people (led by his brother Aaron) quickly turned back to idolatry and sensuality.

God was not pleased and offered Moses an amazing deal.

The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” (vs. 9-10).

A self-absorbed leader would have taken that deal and run. "Go ahead and kill them all, Lord, and You and I can rebuild." But Moses, at this stage, was not such a short-sighted leader.

HIS INTERCESSION

Moses' response was prayer. He "entreated the Lord his God" for the people. He made two appeals (and it worked).

He appealed to GOD'S REPUTATION

“Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent, He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your burning anger and change Your mind about doing harm to Your people. (vs. 12)

And he appealed to GOD'S PROMISES

“Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people. (vs. 13-14)

God relented, the people were saved, and Moses had done his job as an interceding leader. He went down the mountain and disciplined those who had led the people astray. But in the end, the people learned a lesson and were able to resume the march to the Promised Land.

WHAT KIND OF LEADER ARE YOU?

When those around you—in your home, your church, your workplace--stray from God, do you want to call down fire? Or are you merciful and mindful of God's ultimate purpose for their lives and God's purposes?

Are you willing to lay down your life in intercession for others? Simply put, do you argue with them, get angry at them ... or PRAY for them before God?

Great leaders intercede. Great leaders think of the higher purposes of God. Great leaders want God to be seen as a promise-keeping God and appeal to Him on behalf of His promises.

And great leaders move the people forward, by God's grace.

Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Purify our praying, Lord. Help us to be unselfish and persevering advocates for those under our care. And then, Lord, hear and answer our intercession for those You love!