Intercession

‘I searched for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.’ Ezek 22:30

How grieved God must have been when the nation of Israel was corrupt and He could not find anyone willing to stand in the gap to avert judgement coming on the land. Scripture tells us that mercy triumphs over judgement (Jas 2:13), but His long-suffering has limits.

Many people think of intercession as a more intense type of prayer, but it is more. To intercede is to intervene on behalf of another or stand in the gap between two parties. We intercede between God and man by lifting others up before the throne of God especially when they are unable to do so themselves because they do not yet know God or they are weak at the time, like the paralysed man in Luke 5:18-35.

In interceding for Israel, we need to be prepared to go to the land if God calls us to, even in the midst of a war.

In Ezekiel chapter 22 the prophet speaks of the contention that God has with the nation of Israel and warns that He is about to judge them. The false prophets placated the people, the priests no longer distinguished between the holy and the profane, the leaders made dishonest gain and the people robbed from the poor and the stranger. Is our world any different? When a nation has fallen into sin, God looks for intercessors to stand in the gap.

Norman Grubb wrote a wonderful book about the life and intercession of Welshman Rees Howells (Rees Howells Intercessor, Lutterworth Press, London, 1952). Rees noted three characteristics of intercessors that set them apart – identification, agony and authority. The intercessors do not just pray for someone, they go deeper to identify and feel the pain of the one suffering. In praying for a nation, they are repenting for our sin not their sin. They share in the agony of bearing the sin or pain on behalf of another to pay for the debt or consequences. In doing so, they gain authority not only for one occasion but for all such situations in that category. God often gives intercessors spiritual assignments or a particular person to pray for and they then have the responsibility to carry through until that assignment is completed, which could take years.

Yeshua, our intercessor

Yeshua, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is also able to save forever those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Heb 7:24-25

Yeshua is our perfect example of an intercessor. He was tempted as we are (Heb 2:18) and in His humanity He suffered all things we do and learnt obedience through that suffering but overcame for us (Heb 5:7-10). Through His perfection, He won our eternal salvation. He suffered the agony of the cross and lay down His life for our sin and died our death, paying the price for our freedom (Gal 3:13). He overcame death and now holds the keys to death and Hades (Rev 1:18). He therefore now has been given all authority in heaven and earth (Matt 28:18) and raised to the right hand of God in the place of perfect intercession for us.

He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and made Him head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Eph 1:20-23

Abraham

God was about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah for their grave sins of self-indulgence which was manifest in widespread homosexuality. Abraham was disturbed for this impending doom especially since his brother Lot and family lived there. He stood in the gap for the unrighteous, wicked cities and pleaded with God on their behalf (Gen 18:18ff). Despite his acknowledgment of his own unworthiness to question God, he argued on the grounds of God’s merciful nature and just character for the cities to be spared. In his bargaining with God, he reduced the number to ten, but the Lord could not even find that many, but He did spare Lot’s family.

God was not angry with Abraham for his pleas. We can actually avert adversity through our intercession if we have the heart of God. History is indeed in the hands of the intercessors. He does not want to have to bring judgement and is slow to anger.

Moses

And on the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin…” But now, if You will forgive their sin, very well; but if not, please wipe me out from Your book which You have written!” Ex 32:31, 32

Moses was so heartbroken when he saw the people whom he had led out of slavery so quickly reverting to idol worship, that he was willing for God to wipe him out for the sake of his people. He stood in the gap for their sin and presented himself before God to seek atonement. God promised to lead the people on but none of that generation would enter the land of their inheritance. They forfeited that blessing to the next generation. Sin has consequences.

David

So Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, erect an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite”…the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price; for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” 2 Sam 24:18,24

David took an unauthorised census (Ex 30:11-16), against the Word of God and his army chief’s advice, that cost the lives of 70,000 men (2 Sam 24:15). He regretted his foolish arrogance (v10) and God sent the prophet Gad, with His redemption plan. David had to erect an altar on the land that became the site of the two Temples, considered to be the same site where Abraham built the altar to sacrifice Isaac. This meant that David had to purchase the threshing floor from Araunah (i.e. buy his business) and the land it was on. He paid the price and God redeemed the land.

Interceding for Israel

This type of prayer needs commitment, as the true intercessor has to be willing to lay down his life for the one for whom he or she is interceding, as Moses offered and Yeshua did. We need to love the disobedient and rebellious people as he did and as Yeshua does and not blame or criticise them or request for God to wipe them out!

In interceding for Israel, we need to be prepared to go to the land if God calls us to, even in the midst of a war. We have to identify with the people and pay a cost in time or money to meet a need or bring a blessing. The question I am most asked when leading tours to Israel is ‘Is it safe?’ My reply is always: ‘The only safe place is in the centre of God’s will.’

God is once again seeking intercessors who will give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem a praise in all the earth (Isaiah 62:6-7). Are you willing to sign up?

[This and future articles are taken from a forthcoming daily devotional on prayer ‘The many Facets of Prayer’ by Jill Curry.]