moses the intercessor!

"Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance"

context: Moses pleading with God to go with the Israelites to Canaan. The Israelites have just been caught worshiping the golden calf, and God is still very angry at them, and vows not to go with them.

When intercessing for the Israelites, moses includes himself as part of their sin. "our wickedness and our sin," even though he is personally exempt from punishment.

(Exodus 32:10) God says, "I [will] destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation"

So basically, God clears Moses from punishment... makes a distinction between him and the rest of the Israelites, because he didn't participate in idol-worship.

But Moses gets rid of that distinction, and puts himself along with them. [It's like in pirates of the caribbean when the governor is about to hang Jack and Will, but not Elizabeth-she is off the hook because she is the governor's daughter. But instead, she goes to stand with Jack and Will, to share in whatever punishment they receive. And as a result, the governor let them all free]

Moses does the same thing with the Israelites! (exodus 32:32) He puts himself along with them, accepting whatever punishment for their sin that they will receive.

application: Following Moses' example, if we are intercessing for others, we need to get rid of the distinction between "our" and "their" sin. we can take ownership of whatever we are pleading for, and be humbled by it.

Idk about anyone else, but I have this issue with pride. I think when I pray for others, I make that distinction in my head- it's "their" sin. As if I'm better somehow, because I didn't personally commit that sin. But what does that matter? I have my own sins; they're different, but just as punishable. And when I was reading this, the Holy Spirit totally rebuked me, saying "hey, you're not off the hook, sin-free or anything either! someone is intercessing for YOU right now"