Deuteronomy 9 - THE INTERCESSOR

 NUGGETS…from the WORD of GOD

THE INTERCESSOR

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you. —Deut. 9:24

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Few statements in scripture are more telling, or more heartbreaking, than this indictment by Moses of God’s “chosen people.” Sadly, the same charge will apply to much of the professing church. And few statements are more devastating than the commentary,  “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry  [I Sam.15:23].” Connecting these two references to “rebellion” against God, the wonder is that either Israel or the church still exists.

The answer to that dilemma is found in the context that follows, summed up in this case by the declaration of Moses, “The Lord had said He would destroy you [but] I prayed therefore unto the Lord…” (v. 25b, 26a) It is a powerful illustration of the role of the intercessor in the process of redemption. 

Moses’ intercession rested first upon God’s investment in His people: “O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” (v. 26) Divine power had been invested in the deliverance of His people from their bondage in Egypt. Then, he prays on the ground of God’s integrity with respect to His word, His promise; “Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…” (v. 27) To each of these God had given unconditional promises that would, in effect, have been  broken if Israel were “destroyed.” Happily, God cannot deny Himself and a powerful incentive for “grace upon grace” is implemented by this appeal. It is not Israel’s character, but God’s that is “front and center” in this prayer. A third aspect of Moses’ plea rests upon God’s ability: “Look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin: Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land…” (v. 27-28)

From a historical perspective the preservation of the nation rests on Moses’ intercession. That is based altogether on the character of God and not at all on the merits of Israel.

Moses is properly regarded as a type of Christ. He himself declared, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken… [Deut. 18:15].” That Prophet is Christ, and as Israel’s survival rested on the intercession of Moses, so ours rests upon the intercession of Christ. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens… [Heb. 7:25].”

And as with Moses, that intercession rests upon God’s investment in us: He gave His only begotten Son for our deliverance from the bondage of sin; an incalculable price. It embraces God’s faithfulness to His promise: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved [Rom. 10:13].” And, it relies upon God’s infinite power and His determination to demonstrate it before the “watching world” for all eternity: He is “able…to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” 

Within the ranks of professing Christendom there are those who believe that salvation is obtained by our “good works,” or “keeping the commandments.” There are others who teach that salvation is obtained by grace, but maintained by good works. This”nugget” is intended to show that redemption from start to finish rests solely upon the redemptive grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. From beginning to end it is “not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

Let us glorify Him and rejoice with the apostle who said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice… in [Him] whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”  (I Pet. 1:3-9)

“My hope is built on nothing less (and nothing else) than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” When (if) we reach the “glory land” the universal cry will be “To God be the glory, great things HE hath done!!”

—"Pastor" Frasier

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9/8/12

These "Nuggets," including past issues, are now available online at

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