13. THE POWER OF INTERCESSION |
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Have you ever had a friend or sibling in trouble and you stepped in to help them? Maybe they were about to receive a punishment from a teacher or parent and you convinced the punisher to forgive them or lighten the penalty. Or better yet, maybe someone has done that for you. Ask any boy these questions and he can probably tell you a story or two! Intervening to help others, also known as intercession, is one of the most powerful concepts to think about. Moreover, it is one of the most powerful and life altering acts to perform! Let's explore the stories of two people who interceded on behalf of someone else.
Hamza Bey thought that drinking çay and playing a few games of ok would calm his nerves. But he still had a knot in his stomach. He knew that as the father of the household he had to take a stand. And after Begüm disgraced the family by becoming pregnant out of wedlock, he knew that she needed to be banished from the family. But deep down inside, he was troubled by the thought of his daughter all alone. He wondered where she was and what might happen to her.
When he first heard the news from Begüm's own mouth, he couldn’t control his emotions. But after the initial shock wore off, he was desperately confused. Although he wouldn’t admit it to anyone, his heart was torn in two. On one side, what was done was done. Life could never be the same. After all, what would the family think, not to mention the neighbors? But on the other hand, it was only a matter of time before the family would know something happened. He so desperately wanted to forgive Begüm and work to find a solution to this problem, but he felt the pressure of his people, religion, and pride pushing down his shoulders.
"Why can't things be like they were in the old days? When I was a child, life was so much easier. People kept their traditions. A boy and girl would never have betrayed their family. But these times are different. They want to think for themselves. Sometimes I just don’t understand this generation.” Hamza thought to himself.
After another long day at work, Hamza returned to his quiet home. While he was sitting at the table and eating his dinner, it wasn’t hard to notice the empty seat to his right. And although his other daughter Ayşe was on his left side, it was like she wasn’t even there. Instead of giggling and asking everyone about their day, she just sat there quietly. As dinner came to an end and his wife, Yasemin, started to clean up, Hamza sat down to watch some television. He could tell by the look in his wife's eyes that she wanted to talk.
In a worldly way, Yasemin wasn’t very educated. She never finished high school (lise), but one would be hard pressed to find a more dignified woman. She was full of hospitality, love, and compassion. Unlike some people she knew who disliked the idea of serving others, Yasemin enjoyed it. She didn’t let a day go by without visiting an elderly neighbor, feeding the local dogs, or checking in on her friends. But just like Hamza, the last week had been very difficult for her. She knew life couldn't continue this way. So she decided to ask Hamza if Begüm could return home. She nervously prepared the çay and sat down in the living room with Hamza.
"I wonder what Begüm is doing right now? I wonder if she has eaten or not?” Yasemin said.
“So this is our only problem? It's not even a worry of mine!” Hamza said.
"You’re lying! You haven't been sleeping for days. And you have eaten almost nothing for five."
"Of ya! Why are you bringing this up ? I'm just a little sick!" Hamza said.
"Hamza! Shame on you! Look at me and tell me the truth. You can't fool me. You are worried about Begüm too. What shall we do?"
"What is done is done. There is nothing else to do!" Hamza retorted.
"Hamza, Begüm is our daughter. After she was born, we held her in our arms and cleaned her. When she was sick we laid with her all night. And the baby growing in her womb is our grandchild! While we were young, we made lots of mistakes. O course this situation is different and harder. But if Begüm stays on the street alone, maybe something worse could happen. In other words she could bring more shame to us. Besides, if she returns home we can help her."
Hamza sat there silently and listened to his wife. She made a strong case and he knew what she said was true. But Hamza never made a hasty decision and he needed some time to think. Yasemin collected the çay glasses and left Hamza alone.
As we read through the Bible, we will notice many fascinating characteristics of God's prophets. Perhaps Yasemin didn’t know this or maybe she did, but one of their key roles was that of intercessor or mediator. When God's people strayed or God was about to inflict judgment on those who didn’t follow him, these prophets would go to God and plead for mercy and forgiveness. One of the first prophets to intercede for others was Abraham.
From the time Abraham was 85 years old until about 99 years old, his life was filled with one event after the other. Much like Hamza Bey, he too was having family problems. God had come to him and promised him a child. Shortly thereafter, Sarai in her old age and hoping that God's promise could be fulfilled, convinced Abraham to have a child with her servant. But what seemed so wise in their eyes became nothing more than a mistake. The tension between the wives became so great that Hagar fled. But God, who is always in control and able to clean up the messes we make, sent Hagar back and God once again reminded Abraham of their covenant. The Lord told Abraham that he would have a child, the promised one of 13 years prior, and that the child would come from Sarai's womb. Abraham was to name the child Isaac and God promised that he would make a covenant with him and his offspring.
Shortly thereafter, Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent when God (RAB) appeared to him. In the distance he saw three men approaching. Abraham, much like Yasemin from our story, saw an opportunity to serve. So he walked out to greet the men and invited them to wash up, rest, and eat. As Sara baked some bread, Abraham chose a choice calf and had it prepared. Let’s pick up the story in Genesis 18 verse 8:
8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, She is in the tent. 10 The LORD said, I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure? 13 The LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh and say, Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. He said, No, but you did laugh.
It is clear from the text that this message of hope is from God. He had made a promise to Abraham and he intended to keep it. In spite of their age, God would bless them with a child. But God didn't visit him just to deliver this message. As we will read, He came for another reason.
16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. 20 Then the LORD said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.
Just like the Tower of Babel, God wanted to investigate the condition of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says that the outcry of these cities' sins had come to his attention and before He would make a judgment, He needed to know if it was true. Moreover, God wanted to reveal to Abraham what he was about to do. So God sent his two companions to Sodom, the very city that Lot and his family were living in, and stayed behind to speak with Abraham. The following dialogue reveals a lot about Abraham's love and prophet hood, and God's righteous judgment.
22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? 26 And the LORD said, If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. 27 Abraham answered and said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there. 29 Again he spoke to him and said, Suppose forty are found there. He answered, For the sake of forty I will not do it. 30 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there. He answered, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 He said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there. He answered, For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it. 32 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there. He answered, For the sake of ten I will not destroy it. 33 And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Just like Yasemin did with Hamza, Abraham took it upon himself to plead with God on behalf of someone else. Invoking God’s holiness and righteous judgment, he asked that the inhabitants of Sodom be spared for the sake of the righteous. God agreed that if there were at least 10 righteous people he would not destroy the cities. It is almost unfathomable to think that God was in human form talking with Abraham. Reason can't explain it and theology can't explain it away. But the Bible says it happened, so it must be true!
Unfortunately for the inhabitants of Sodom, there weren’t 10 righteous people living within its walls. After the two men arrived at the city gate and met Lot, they went to his house. It didn’t take long for the Sodomites to reveal their wicked characters and evil intentions. They surrounded Lot's house and commanded him to turn over his guests. They were a perverse people and after Lot refused, they threatened his very life. It was at this point that the men pulled Lot inside and revealed their true identities. These were not ordinary men! They were angels and they blinded the wicked men who were trying to hurt Lot's family. After an awesome display of power, they ordered Lot to take his family from the city. The sins of the people would be punished and it was important that Lot's family not be there when it happened. The story continues in chapter 19:
15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city. 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.
Lot pleaded with the angels, but it was in vain. God had seen the people's wickedness and knew what needed to be done. How many times would this have to happen before the wicked will learn a lesson? How many times until they would repent and turn from their sins? Lot was fortunate that his uncle Abraham was there once again to save his life. As they fled from the city they were told not to look back.
23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace. 29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.
Sodom and Gomorrah were no more. When Abraham looked down upon that plain it was as if a giant oven was spitting out flames and smoke. God had kept his promise to Abraham and although he wasn't able to spare the cities, he did spare Lot's family.
Every week when we go to the pazar to shop, we want to buy the highest quality goods at the best price. We walk up and down the street looking for the best deals. We haggle with the sellers so they will lower the prices of apples, tomatoes, peppers, and eggs. But there is something more important than apples, tomatoes, and shirts. Other people’s lives!
Even though Abraham knew that there were bad people living in Sodom and Gomorrah, he understood the value of life and interceded for them. He knew that once judgment was cast, they would never have another chance to repent. Oh that we all would have the love and desire to intercede for others as Abraham did for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Questions for Discussion:
1) Why do you think God told Abraham in advance that he would destroy Sodom?
2) What does this story show us about God's care for those who follow him?
3) How can you intercede for people today, like Abraham did in old times?
4) Review what the men of Sodom wanted to do with the Lot's guests (Genesis 19:4-11). Do you think their homosexuality had anything to do with God's destroying the city?
Hamza Bey thought that drinking çay and playing a few games of ok would calm his nerves. But he still had a knot in his stomach. He knew that as the father of the household he had to take a stand. And after Begüm disgraced the family by becoming pregnant out of wedlock, he knew that she needed to be banished from the family. But deep down inside, he was troubled by the thought of his daughter all alone. He wondered where she was and what might happen to her.
When he first heard the news from Begüm's own mouth, he couldn’t control his emotions. But after the initial shock wore off, he was desperately confused. Although he wouldn’t admit it to anyone, his heart was torn in two. On one side, what was done was done. Life could never be the same. After all, what would the family think, not to mention the neighbors? But on the other hand, it was only a matter of time before the family would know something happened. He so desperately wanted to forgive Begüm and work to find a solution to this problem, but he felt the pressure of his people, religion, and pride pushing down his shoulders.
"Why can't things be like they were in the old days? When I was a child, life was so much easier. People kept their traditions. A boy and girl would never have betrayed their family. But these times are different. They want to think for themselves. Sometimes I just don’t understand this generation.” Hamza thought to himself.
After another long day at work, Hamza returned to his quiet home. While he was sitting at the table and eating his dinner, it wasn’t hard to notice the empty seat to his right. And although his other daughter Ayşe was on his left side, it was like she wasn’t even there. Instead of giggling and asking everyone about their day, she just sat there quietly. As dinner came to an end and his wife, Yasemin, started to clean up, Hamza sat down to watch some television. He could tell by the look in his wife's eyes that she wanted to talk.
In a worldly way, Yasemin wasn’t very educated. She never finished high school (lise), but one would be hard pressed to find a more dignified woman. She was full of hospitality, love, and compassion. Unlike some people she knew who disliked the idea of serving others, Yasemin enjoyed it. She didn’t let a day go by without visiting an elderly neighbor, feeding the local dogs, or checking in on her friends. But just like Hamza, the last week had been very difficult for her. She knew life couldn't continue this way. So she decided to ask Hamza if Begüm could return home. She nervously prepared the çay and sat down in the living room with Hamza.
"I wonder what Begüm is doing right now? I wonder if she has eaten or not?” Yasemin said.
“So this is our only problem? It's not even a worry of mine!” Hamza said.
"You’re lying! You haven't been sleeping for days. And you have eaten almost nothing for five."
"Of ya! Why are you bringing this up ? I'm just a little sick!" Hamza said.
"Hamza! Shame on you! Look at me and tell me the truth. You can't fool me. You are worried about Begüm too. What shall we do?"
"What is done is done. There is nothing else to do!" Hamza retorted.
"Hamza, Begüm is our daughter. After she was born, we held her in our arms and cleaned her. When she was sick we laid with her all night. And the baby growing in her womb is our grandchild! While we were young, we made lots of mistakes. O course this situation is different and harder. But if Begüm stays on the street alone, maybe something worse could happen. In other words she could bring more shame to us. Besides, if she returns home we can help her."
Hamza sat there silently and listened to his wife. She made a strong case and he knew what she said was true. But Hamza never made a hasty decision and he needed some time to think. Yasemin collected the çay glasses and left Hamza alone.
As we read through the Bible, we will notice many fascinating characteristics of God's prophets. Perhaps Yasemin didn’t know this or maybe she did, but one of their key roles was that of intercessor or mediator. When God's people strayed or God was about to inflict judgment on those who didn’t follow him, these prophets would go to God and plead for mercy and forgiveness. One of the first prophets to intercede for others was Abraham.
From the time Abraham was 85 years old until about 99 years old, his life was filled with one event after the other. Much like Hamza Bey, he too was having family problems. God had come to him and promised him a child. Shortly thereafter, Sarai in her old age and hoping that God's promise could be fulfilled, convinced Abraham to have a child with her servant. But what seemed so wise in their eyes became nothing more than a mistake. The tension between the wives became so great that Hagar fled. But God, who is always in control and able to clean up the messes we make, sent Hagar back and God once again reminded Abraham of their covenant. The Lord told Abraham that he would have a child, the promised one of 13 years prior, and that the child would come from Sarai's womb. Abraham was to name the child Isaac and God promised that he would make a covenant with him and his offspring.
Shortly thereafter, Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent when God (RAB) appeared to him. In the distance he saw three men approaching. Abraham, much like Yasemin from our story, saw an opportunity to serve. So he walked out to greet the men and invited them to wash up, rest, and eat. As Sara baked some bread, Abraham chose a choice calf and had it prepared. Let’s pick up the story in Genesis 18 verse 8:
8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. 9 They said to him, Where is Sarah your wife? And he said, She is in the tent. 10 The LORD said, I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son. And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. 11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure? 13 The LORD said to Abraham, Why did Sarah laugh and say, Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old? 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son. 15 But Sarah denied it, saying, I did not laugh, for she was afraid. He said, No, but you did laugh.
It is clear from the text that this message of hope is from God. He had made a promise to Abraham and he intended to keep it. In spite of their age, God would bless them with a child. But God didn't visit him just to deliver this message. As we will read, He came for another reason.
16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him. 20 Then the LORD said, Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.
Just like the Tower of Babel, God wanted to investigate the condition of Sodom and Gomorrah. The Bible says that the outcry of these cities' sins had come to his attention and before He would make a judgment, He needed to know if it was true. Moreover, God wanted to reveal to Abraham what he was about to do. So God sent his two companions to Sodom, the very city that Lot and his family were living in, and stayed behind to speak with Abraham. The following dialogue reveals a lot about Abraham's love and prophet hood, and God's righteous judgment.
22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? 26 And the LORD said, If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. 27 Abraham answered and said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five? And he said, I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there. 29 Again he spoke to him and said, Suppose forty are found there. He answered, For the sake of forty I will not do it. 30 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there. He answered, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 He said, Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there. He answered, For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it. 32 Then he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there. He answered, For the sake of ten I will not destroy it. 33 And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Just like Yasemin did with Hamza, Abraham took it upon himself to plead with God on behalf of someone else. Invoking God’s holiness and righteous judgment, he asked that the inhabitants of Sodom be spared for the sake of the righteous. God agreed that if there were at least 10 righteous people he would not destroy the cities. It is almost unfathomable to think that God was in human form talking with Abraham. Reason can't explain it and theology can't explain it away. But the Bible says it happened, so it must be true!
Unfortunately for the inhabitants of Sodom, there weren’t 10 righteous people living within its walls. After the two men arrived at the city gate and met Lot, they went to his house. It didn’t take long for the Sodomites to reveal their wicked characters and evil intentions. They surrounded Lot's house and commanded him to turn over his guests. They were a perverse people and after Lot refused, they threatened his very life. It was at this point that the men pulled Lot inside and revealed their true identities. These were not ordinary men! They were angels and they blinded the wicked men who were trying to hurt Lot's family. After an awesome display of power, they ordered Lot to take his family from the city. The sins of the people would be punished and it was important that Lot's family not be there when it happened. The story continues in chapter 19:
15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city. 16 But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.
Lot pleaded with the angels, but it was in vain. God had seen the people's wickedness and knew what needed to be done. How many times would this have to happen before the wicked will learn a lesson? How many times until they would repent and turn from their sins? Lot was fortunate that his uncle Abraham was there once again to save his life. As they fled from the city they were told not to look back.
23 The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace. 29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.
Sodom and Gomorrah were no more. When Abraham looked down upon that plain it was as if a giant oven was spitting out flames and smoke. God had kept his promise to Abraham and although he wasn't able to spare the cities, he did spare Lot's family.
Every week when we go to the pazar to shop, we want to buy the highest quality goods at the best price. We walk up and down the street looking for the best deals. We haggle with the sellers so they will lower the prices of apples, tomatoes, peppers, and eggs. But there is something more important than apples, tomatoes, and shirts. Other people’s lives!
Even though Abraham knew that there were bad people living in Sodom and Gomorrah, he understood the value of life and interceded for them. He knew that once judgment was cast, they would never have another chance to repent. Oh that we all would have the love and desire to intercede for others as Abraham did for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Questions for Discussion:
1) Why do you think God told Abraham in advance that he would destroy Sodom?
2) What does this story show us about God's care for those who follow him?
3) How can you intercede for people today, like Abraham did in old times?
4) Review what the men of Sodom wanted to do with the Lot's guests (Genesis 19:4-11). Do you think their homosexuality had anything to do with God's destroying the city?