This Weeks Passage: Numbers 14:5-19

¹⁷ And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my lord be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, ¹⁸ The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. ¹⁹ Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.

Numbers 14:17-9

Explanation:

Moses is interceding to God on behalf of these people who want to hurt him and disobey God. He appeals to God’s character. He admits that there are consequences to their sin that will impact the people for generations to come. Yet, he also believes, because of God’s track record, that God will be compassionate and forgiving. He desired and asked that God would continue to do what He had been doing- showing mercy and forgiveness.

Application:

This is a good model for intercessory prayer. For Moses to pray this he had to have a heart of forgiveness for his people. He knew God and appealed to God passionately, but with what could be God’s will.

We should have a heart for people, and pray for them.

Response:

Take some time to pray today for someone other than yourself. Pray only for others during this time.