The dictionary definition of intercessor is “one that is a peacemaker between two, someone who pleads for one, a prayer on behalf of someone.” Such a definition shows that intercession is almost if not absolutely synonymous with mediation or advocacy.
It may seem surprising that the words intercessor and intercession are only found a few times in our Authorized Version of the Bible, just five times in the Old Testament and a further six times in the New. But before we go further we should note that the original words used have been translated in no less than seventeen different ways, some of which seem to have little affinity with the usual understanding of the words. There are, however at least two variants that are closely associated with our conception of the meaning of intercession, these being prayer and intreaty.
It becomes evident to the reader that in certain circumstances prayer and intercession are interchangeable to some extent, in fact if we refer to some other versions of the Bible we find that they have been interchanged. Not having a concordance that covers other versions I cannot give facts and figures, but in reading from other versions I have noted a few occasions, two of which you may care to note. In the 42nd chapter of Job verse 8 the New English Bible changes the word ‘pray’ into ‘make intercession’, and also in Genesis chapter 20 verse 7 instead of “pray for thee” the same version renders it as “he shall make intercession for thee”.
It seems then that we have found what appears to be a basic fact, that to pray for someone under certain circumstances is to make intercession for them, and in the light of this let us allow our thoughts to develop. Let us look at some instances where the emphasis in prayer is intercessional, and we will find that this is apparent right through the scriptures from patriarchal times, and the first instance I would like to look at is the episode of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Abraham stood before the men who had set their faces towards those wicked cities before God’s judgment fell upon them.
The reference is of course Gen.18:23-32. Here we have the well known pleading of Abraham, how by degrees he reduced the number needed for a reprieve from 50 to 10. Note the six-fold petition in Abraham’s prayer. It has been suggested that Abraham was in fact making intercession on behalf of Lot and his close family whose number can by inference be made to total up to ten. But his labours were in vain, for only Lot and his two daughters survived. We can see then from those early times that the principle of intercession can be established, though in noting it we can also see that intercession is not always successful or acceptable by God.
Our next example is somewhat different, taken from Exodus chapter 32. Again the circumstances are well known; while Moses was in the mount receiving the Tables of Testimony from God, the people had wearied of his absence – and Aaron had made the golden calf. In his anger God had said
“Let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them.”
Now read verses 11-14. Here it would appear that the pleading by Moses had the desired effect, and the Lord repented of the evil he thought to do to the people; but if we read on we find that the intercession was not entirely successful, for verses 30-35 give the rest of the matter. Note particularly verse 33:
“Whosoeverhath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”
So here we have an instance where the plea was partially successful in that the people were saved from instant destruction, but on the other hand it was made clear that the guilty were in no wise forgiven.
We obviously cannot go right through the Bible in the circumstances, picking out all the instances where prayer of an intercessional nature was made, but I would like to pick out a few, particularly from the Old Testament, because I think there is a principle involved that will make itself apparent in due course, so let us look at a few more cases, and for a while we will stay with Moses, for he was, I think you will agree, a special personality. Take Numbers chapter 14; this is where the scouts had returned from spying out the land, and(apart from two of them)had given a report that reduced the people to tears and despair, so much so that when Joshua and Caleb urged them to trust God to deliver them, they went about to stone them.
Then was God’s anger roused (verse 12), but again Moses took it upon himself to plead with God on their behalf (verses 13-20). Here then was an instance where intercession was in essence successful; God said he would pardon the offence and would not destroy the people by pestilence. We know of course, that although pardoned, the people had brought God to the position where he declared that that faithless generation, who, as He said, had tried him ten times, would not receive the inheritence, instead it would be their children who would have that blessing.
But let us pass on and follow the line of investigation that I am trying to establish in passing, and for the next example let us turn to Samuel. Read 1 Sam.7:5-9. Here is a fairly classical example of intercessional prayer. The people, as so often happened, had done wrong in serving other gods, and as a result had been delivered into the hands of the Philistines; but with a change of heart the people had come to Samuel, who, as we read, said he would pray to God for them.
The ensuing events are self explanatory in the reading; in the face of Philistine hostility Samuel cried to God, and God heard, or as it says in the margin, answered with a great overthrow of Israel’s enemies. You will note in this case, however, that a sacrifice was involved, a sucking lamb offered up whole all the other cases that we have looked at, save that of Job, have not involved sacrifice.
Remaining with Samuel, there is an interesting point about the sacrifice that he made – it was a lamb. I think I am right in thinking that this was a sin offering, and I think I am right in saying that a lamb was not the prescribed offering for sin in the Law; this may have significance when we consider The Great offering for sin, for Christ is always referred to as the lamb, and He was offered to turn away God’s displeasure, not of just one erring people, but for a whole host of nations.
Perhaps I should qualify my remarks a little; while I am under the impression that it was not directed that a lamb should be given as a sin offering, there is one reference (Lev.4:32) where a lamb is referred to as a sin offering. Everywhere else I can think of, a lamb is for a burnt offering or a trespass offering. It may be that sin and trespass mean the same, but my impression is that they are not – perhaps I am wrong. However it is interesting to note here, that this lamb had to be a female.
Passing on, we think of Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the Temple, which by any standard can be described as intercessional. He prayed for God’s blessing and mercy on the Temple itself, on the people and on the land. God was intreated to be merciful and turn again and bless
His people if they had gone astray, but turned again to Him.
And then there is Hezekiah’s prayer made to God when he received the letter from the Assyrians, reviling God Himself and containing threats and boasts against God and His people, and we remember how Hezekiah took the letter and spread it before God, and said,
“Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.”
God’s answer to Hezekiah was swift and terrible, the angel of the Lord slew 185,000 Assyrians that night and the city was relieved.
Now that we have looked at a number of instances where intercession was made, I wonder if there is any underlying principle that can be seen to apply in these cases? The inference appears to be that the role of intercessor was reserved to special, or even outstanding personalities, who, by virtue of the position or rank given to them by God, be it prophet, priest or king, had the power, or ability or privilege, to make intercession to God on behalf of those whom they served in their several capacities in other words, the mediator had to be someone who was acceptable to God and had influence with the people.
However, in one or two cases we have looked at we have learned the lesson that although intercession was made by an acceptable person, God in His wisdom was free to accede to – or not regard the particular plea, and where the plea was not accepted, it would appear that the persons who were the subject of the prayer were not themselves acceptable to God.
All this of course leads our thoughts to Christ particularly, and the position he holds before God and man, to the work he accomplished on behalf of the whole world and those who are beneficiaries of his ministrations. He, above all others, was acceptable to God, being His only beloved son, he holds the rank of prophet, priest and king, and so above all is eminently suitable as intercessor between God and man.
The Solution