Interceding for God's Glory and the Lost

 

Summary

In Exodus 33:12-17, we find Moses in a profound dialogue with God, seeking assurance and guidance for himself and the people of Israel. This passage serves as a powerful illustration of the nature of true intercession and the motives that should drive our prayers, especially in the context of seeking revival. Moses' prayer is not just a request for personal blessings but a deep intercession for the people of God, driven by a concern for God's glory, the honor of the church, and the salvation of those outside the faith.

Moses' primary concern is the glory of God. He understands that the reputation of God is tied to the fate of His people. Moses argues that God's honor is at stake if the Israelites are left in the wilderness, as it would lead other nations to question God's power and faithfulness. This concern for God's glory should be the primary motive in our prayers for revival. We must desire that God's name be honored and revered above all else.

Secondly, Moses shows a deep concern for the people of God. He is not content with personal assurances of God's favor; he seeks blessings for the entire nation. This selfless intercession is a model for us, urging us to pray for the church's strength and unity, recognizing that we are part of a larger body that represents God on earth.

Moses also prays with a concern for those outside the faith. He desires that the surrounding nations recognize the distinctiveness of God's people, which would lead them to acknowledge God's presence and power. Our prayers for revival should similarly be motivated by a desire for the world to see God's work in His people and be drawn to Him.

The method of Moses' prayer is characterized by boldness, reasoning, and urgency. He approaches God with confidence, reminding Him of His promises and arguing for their fulfillment. This boldness is rooted in a deep relationship with God, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in hearing His children plead His promises.

In summary, Moses' intercession in Exodus 33 teaches us about the motives and methods of effective prayer. It challenges us to pray with a focus on God's glory, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost, approaching God with boldness and urgency.

Key Takeaways:

- Concern for God's Glory: Moses' primary motive in prayer was the glory of God. He understood that God's reputation was tied to the fate of His people, and he prayed that God's name would be honored and revered. Our prayers should similarly be driven by a desire for God's glory above all else. [07:03]

- Intercession for the Church: Moses was deeply concerned for the people of God, seeking blessings for the entire nation rather than just personal assurances. This selfless intercession is a model for us, urging us to pray for the church's strength and unity, recognizing that we are part of a larger body that represents God on earth. [19:04]

- Concern for the Lost: Moses desired that the surrounding nations recognize the distinctiveness of God's people, which would lead them to acknowledge God's presence and power. Our prayers for revival should be motivated by a desire for the world to see God's work in His people and be drawn to Him. [25:06]

- Boldness in Prayer: Moses approached God with confidence, reminding Him of His promises and arguing for their fulfillment. This boldness is rooted in a deep relationship with God, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in hearing His children plead His promises. [31:39]

- Urgency in Intercession: Moses' prayer was characterized by urgency, as he insisted on God's presence and blessings for the people. This urgency in prayer reflects a deep burden for the glory of God, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost. [41:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Exodus 33:12-17
- [01:37] - The Context of Revival
- [03:20] - Moses' Tent of Meeting
- [04:07] - Moses' Petitions to God
- [05:30] - Motives for Moses' Prayers
- [07:03] - Concern for God's Glory
- [10:57] - The Church as God's People
- [13:47] - The State of the Church Today
- [19:04] - Concern for the Church's Honor
- [25:06] - Concern for the Lost
- [31:39] - Boldness in Prayer
- [36:40] - Reasoning with God
- [41:02] - Urgency in Intercession
- [44:11] - Conclusion and Call to Intercession

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Exodus 33:12-17

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific requests does Moses make to God in Exodus 33:12-17, and how does God respond to these requests? [00:36]

2. How does Moses express his concern for God's glory in his dialogue with God? [07:03]

3. In what ways does Moses demonstrate a selfless concern for the people of Israel in his intercession? [19:04]

4. What is the significance of Moses' boldness and confidence in his prayer to God? [31:39]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does Moses prioritize God's glory in his prayers, and how does this reflect on his understanding of God's relationship with Israel? [07:03]

2. How does Moses' concern for the Israelites' well-being reflect a model for intercessory prayer in the church today? [19:04]

3. What does Moses' desire for the surrounding nations to recognize God's power suggest about the purpose of revival? [25:06]

4. How does Moses' method of reasoning and arguing with God in prayer demonstrate a deep relationship with Him? [36:40]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How often do you prioritize God's glory in your prayers, and what changes can you make to align your motives with those of Moses? [07:03]

2. Consider the current state of your church. How can you actively pray for its strength and unity, following Moses' example of selfless intercession? [19:04]

3. Think about the people in your life who are outside the faith. How can you pray for them to see God's work in His people and be drawn to Him? [25:06]

4. Moses approached God with boldness and confidence. What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with God so that you can pray with similar boldness? [31:39]

5. Identify a specific promise from God that you can remind Him of in your prayers this week. How can this practice strengthen your faith and intercession? [36:40]

6. Moses showed urgency in his intercession. What is one urgent matter in your life or community that you feel compelled to bring before God with persistence? [41:02]

7. How can you cultivate a heart that is genuinely concerned for the lost, and what practical steps can you take to engage with them in meaningful ways? [25:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Praying for God's Glory
Moses' primary concern in his prayer was the glory of God. He understood that the reputation of God was tied to the fate of His people. Moses argued that God's honor was at stake if the Israelites were left in the wilderness, as it would lead other nations to question God's power and faithfulness. This concern for God's glory should be the primary motive in our prayers for revival. We must desire that God's name be honored and revered above all else. Our prayers should similarly be driven by a desire for God's glory above all else. [07:03]

Isaiah 42:8 (ESV): "I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you pray today for God's glory to be revealed in your life and community?


Day 2: Interceding for the Church
Moses was deeply concerned for the people of God, seeking blessings for the entire nation rather than just personal assurances. This selfless intercession is a model for us, urging us to pray for the church's strength and unity, recognizing that we are part of a larger body that represents God on earth. Moses' prayer reflects a heart that is not content with personal blessings but seeks the well-being of the entire community of believers. As we pray, let us remember that we are part of a larger body and that our prayers can uplift and strengthen the church as a whole. [19:04]

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you specifically pray for today, asking for God's strength and unity to be evident in their life?


Day 3: Praying for the Lost
Moses desired that the surrounding nations recognize the distinctiveness of God's people, which would lead them to acknowledge God's presence and power. Our prayers for revival should be motivated by a desire for the world to see God's work in His people and be drawn to Him. Moses' intercession was not limited to the Israelites but extended to those outside the faith, showing a heart for the lost. As we pray, let us ask God to use His people as a light to the nations, drawing others to His love and truth. [25:06]

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

Reflection: Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you pray for them today, asking God to reveal His love and truth to them?


Day 4: Boldness in Prayer
Moses approached God with confidence, reminding Him of His promises and arguing for their fulfillment. This boldness is rooted in a deep relationship with God, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in hearing His children plead His promises. Moses' prayer life challenges us to approach God with the same boldness, trusting in His character and promises. As we pray, let us remember that God invites us to come boldly before Him, confident in His love and faithfulness. [31:39]

Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Reflection: What promise from God's Word can you boldly pray for today, trusting in His faithfulness to fulfill it?


Day 5: Urgency in Intercession
Moses' prayer was characterized by urgency, as he insisted on God's presence and blessings for the people. This urgency in prayer reflects a deep burden for the glory of God, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost. Moses' example teaches us to pray with a sense of urgency, recognizing the importance of God's presence and blessings in our lives and the lives of others. As we intercede, let us do so with a fervent heart, seeking God's intervention and guidance. [41:02]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: What urgent need in your life or community can you bring before God today, asking for His immediate intervention and guidance?

Quotes



Moses' primary concern is the glory of God. He understands that the reputation of God is tied to the fate of His people. Moses argues that God's honor is at stake if the Israelites are left in the wilderness, as it would lead other nations to question God's power and faithfulness. [00:09:00]

Moses was concerned primarily about the glory of God. Now he frequently, you read these chapters, the surrounding chapters in The Book of Exodus and elsewhere, you will find that Moses constantly used this particular argument with God. [00:07:39]

Moses had a concern thus for and was jealous about the name and the glory of God, and he's asking God for his own sake to do this extra, this special thing. [00:10:32]

The church, after all, is the church of God. She is his new creation by water and the word. We are a people for God's Own peculiar possession, and why has he called us out of Darkness into his own Marvelous Light? Well, it is that we may show forth his Praises, his excellences, his virtues. [00:10:57]

Moses isn't content with that. Moses doesn't merely seek personal blessings. He wants to make sure that the children of Israel as a whole to be involved in this blessing. [00:19:04]

Moses is suggesting to God that his own Glory, his own honor is involved in this whole situation. Now, as I say, you will find this endlessly in the Psalms. You will find it constantly in the prophets. Their prayer to God is this: for thine own name sake. [00:09:57]

Moses was more concerned about this. He wouldn't go up alone. He didn't want to be made the great men alone. No, no, it's the church, he says. I'm not going on unless they're all coming with me and you were in the midst. [00:23:03]

Moses' prayer was characterized by urgency, as he insisted on God's presence and blessings for the people. This urgency in prayer reflects a deep burden for the glory of God, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost. [00:41:02]

Moses was able to speak with this confidence and assurance, and this is absolutely vital to prayer. Do you know the way into the holiest of all? Well, there's only one way. [00:31:39]

Moses' prayer is characterized by boldness, reasoning, and urgency. He approaches God with confidence, reminding Him of His promises and arguing for their fulfillment. This boldness is rooted in a deep relationship with God, knowing that He is a loving Father who delights in hearing His children plead His promises. [00:31:39]

Moses' intercession in Exodus 33 teaches us about the motives and methods of effective prayer. It challenges us to pray with a focus on God's glory, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost, approaching God with boldness and urgency. [00:41:02]

Moses' prayer was characterized by urgency, as he insisted on God's presence and blessings for the people. This urgency in prayer reflects a deep burden for the glory of God, the well-being of the church, and the salvation of the lost. [00:41:02]

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