In Exodus 32:9-14, Moses intervened for his people when God planned to destroy them with the fire of His wrath. The Israelites were so obstinate that God was "fed up." However, Moses went to their defence, boldly questioned God, and reminded Him of His promises. At the end of the session, God changed His mind.
"So the Lord changed His mind
about the harm which He said
He would do to His people.
Exodus 32:24 (NASB)
In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham interceded for the people who lived in the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which God had announced He would destroy. Abraham daringly, but respectfully, questioned God and bargained with Him five times. In the end, God agreed to spare the cities if even ten righteous people could be found. Sadly, there was only one. However, because of Abraham's appeal, this one person was saved, plus two other family members.
50, 40, 30, 20, 10
but only
1
"Thus it came about,
"Thus it came about,
when God destroyed the cities of the valley,
that God remembered Abraham,
and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow,
when He overthrew the cities
in which Lot lived."
Genesis 19:29 (NASB)
In Nehemiah 1:5-11, the prophet Nehemiah beseeched God on behalf of the scattered Israelites to allow them to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and to bring them together once again. Nehemiah declared to God the Israelites' confession and repentance of their sins, and he reminded God of His promise to regather them if they return to Him. God listened to Nehemiah and kept His promise.
In Daniel 9:4-6, 15-19, the people in Jerusalem were so wicked Daniel pleaded with God to stop His judgement on them. Daniel reminded God of His promises and sought forgiveness on their behalf.
Moses, Abraham, Nehemiah, and Daniel were all God-fearing and righteous men who acted as lawyers on behalf of rebellious and sinful people. Was God offended? Not at all! The hearts of these men were right before Him. They were obedient, honest, respectful, and selfless servants of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment