Intercessory Prayer 3
Intercession in the (OT) Old Testament was a lot different. In Exodus, Moses actually told God to repent (Ex. 32:11-13) and God actually did (vs 14). Moses changed God's mind (Ps. 106:23), well...God knew that Moses would approach Him asking God to repent of His doing evil against His people. There are no surprises with God. However, Moses was a temporary mediator with God. Jesus of course our mediator/advocate with God forever (1 John 2:1)!
People though use this example and the example of Abraham bargaining with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 18:22-23) to contend that intercessors are supposed to turn God from His wrath. But if Moses asked God to repent in the NT, he would have been rebuked.
Why would Moses be rebuked? Well, because Jesus is our intercessor who ended ALL earlier types of intercession. Jesus completely pacified the wrath of God (Mt 17:5). Jesus bore all the punishment the world deserved. If we try to step in Jesus' shoes and be the intermediary, we are completely out of line!!
As a matter of fact, Jesus' disciples were rebuked for tryingto use the OT intercessory ways and do what Elijah did (LK. 9:51-56). There's a difference between the old covenant and the new covenant.
We can't do what Jesus died to do. All we can do is receive by faith and put faith in what Jesus has already done for us.
That's a powerful truth and when we understand it, everything in the Christian life takes on an entirely different perspective....especially our attitudes about faith.
End.