“ (1)  And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. (2)  And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. (3)  And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. (4)  And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (5)  And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord. (6)  And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. (7)  And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: (8)  They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. (9)  And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: (10)  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (11)  And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? (12)  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. (13)  Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. (14)  And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people” – Exodus 32:1-14.

CAN PRAYER AFFECT THE OUTCOME OF GOD’S ACTION?

“ (9)  And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: (10)  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (11)  And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? (12)  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. (13)  Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it forever. (14)  And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people” – Exodus 32:9-14.

“ (19)  They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.  (20)  Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.  (21)  They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;  (22)  Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.  (23)  Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them”- Psalm 106:19-23.

The question, “Can prayer affect the outcome of God’s action” is fundamental not just for intercessory prayer but for all categories of prayer.

Predestination and Prayer

Numerous teachers believe that prayer doesn’t affect the outcome of God’s action and that what it does is change us. Without a doubt, the process of prayer does change us, nevertheless, the text taken from Exodus 32 indicates that after Moses’ prayer of intercession, God decided to withdraw His proposed actions concerning the Jews. If this is true, then prayer is powerful, since by prayer we can appeal to and entreat our God to do differently than He had stated that He would do about a particular situation.

Some teachers have a strong deterministic view, which means they believe that “What will be, will be.” There is no changing it. God has both foreknown and pre-determined all things from eternity. Everything is fixed. It is now all playing out according to how God had programmed it, so each move is a foregone conclusion.

These are some of the terms and definitions that are used by some of these teachers:

~ Predestination. The belief that God foreordains, predestines, or predetermines whatsoever will happen in history. That is, God causes to come to pass everything that happens. Some of these proponents believe that this includes sinful actions while others deny that God wills sinful actions.

~ Foreknowledge. The belief is that God knows about everything that will take place before it happens, so once it is allowed to happen then it means that it is God’s will otherwise, He would have stopped it.

~ Free will. This belief is that human beings are given real freedom to make choices, free of compulsion, and free of influence.

People who hold this deterministic view believe that there is no real benefit to prayer because their prayer does not affect the outcome of any situation. However, we must remember that Moses’ prayer affected God’s action, “ (10)  Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. (14)  And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people” – Exodus 32:10;14. Just as how Moses’ prayers affected God’s action so can yours.

The reason I even bring up the subject of predestination and prayer is that our passage raises serious problems for Christians who believe that everything is predetermined by the immutable God and as such nothing can be changed. Predestination is a biblical doctrine as taught by the Apostle Paul in Romans 8. In explaining this, the Apostle Paul never taught that an individual was predestined. He never taught the doctrine of “what will be, will be!”

Contrary to that, he urged the believers at Thessalonica to “Pray without ceasing” and that “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. Here he is urging believers to commit all things to prayer or to always be prayerful. In the same breath, he is urging them to learn to be thankful knowing that as they give themselves to prayer God will work in their lives for His glory. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 is a classic case of this,“ (7)  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

When it comes to you and your prayers, you must be aware that not everything is predetermined. You must believe that your prayers can affect God’s actions. If you don’t, you won’t be able to pray like Moses or Abraham or Elijah, but only a passive, “Thy will be done” prayer. Certainly, Jesus Christ prayed that prayer, but only after wrestling in prayer with his Father. Our problem is that we are unwilling to wrestle in prayer as did Moses. Many of us don’t believe in the power of prayer, we merely say words without expectations.

Many centuries after Moses, James tells us: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” - James 5:16. The NLT of this verse is rendered as follows, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Either we believe it and act on it, or we become passive and unbelieving in our prayers.

Let's consider the following passages of Scripture as we continue to explore this topic:

1. “ (23) And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, (24)  Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. (25)  There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. (26)  Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (27)  Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. (28)  And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord God, when the Lord hath not spoken. (29)  The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. (30)  And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (31)  Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God” - Ezekiel 22:23-31.

  • The word picture painted in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or a gap in it. A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the breach. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible. If a breach was left unattended or unrepaired, the city would fall.
  • The “gap” here represents the danger facing Jerusalem: God’s wrath is about to break through in judgment on the sinful city. Was there no one who would, in righteousness, intercede on behalf of the city and seek God’s mercy? God searched for such a defender, but He could find none. If someone had been willing to “stand in the gap,” the destruction of Jerusalem could have been avoided.

2. “Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth.  (2)  And it shall be, if they say to you, ‘Where should we go?’ then you shall tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Such as are for death, to death; And such as are for the sword, to the sword; And such as are for the famine, to the famine; And such as are for the captivity, to the captivity” – Jeremiah 15:1 (NKJV).

3. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. (2)  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, (3)  I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. (4)  And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, (5)  Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. (6)  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake” – 2 Kings 20:1-6.

4. “And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. (2)  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. (3)  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (4)  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (5)  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. (6)  But there was certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, (7)  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? (8)  And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? (9)  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (10)  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) (11)  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (12)  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” – St. Mark 2:1-12.

5. “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? (2)  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (3)  Ye  ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” – James 4:1-3.

An Invitation to Intercession

The real question here is how does God want us to pray? Look carefully at verse 10:

“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation” – Exodus 32:10.

It’s almost as if the LORD is inviting Moses to intercede for the nation, as if He were to say, “If you do not let me alone (i.e., intercede), then I will destroy them....”

Again and again, in the Bible, we see men and women of God wrestling in prayer with God until they receive the answer they seek. Brothers and sisters, God wants us to pray with the same faith, fervency, and fortitude until He answers.

Repenting or Relenting

Besides predestination, the other doctrinal topic that might be troubling is the Doctrine of God’s Immutability. This might be troubling since the text tells us that Moses’ prayer affected the outcome of God’s action.

“And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people” – Exodus 32:14.

Immutability can be defined as God's unchanging, desire, and purpose. The word translated “relented” (NIV), “repented” (KJV), and “changed his mind” (NRSV) is the Hebrew verb nācham, “be sorry, repeat, regret, be comforted, comfort.” In the majority of cases, this verb refers to God’s repentance, not man’s. When man’s repentance is been spoken of, the Hebrew verb shub is mainly used.

Man repents from sin towards God; God is free from sin. So, when God repents or relents it is a decision to change His action. While some verses that use nācham seem to indicate God’s changing His action on an arbitrary basis, in most instances it is clear that the change is due to changed circumstances on the part of humanity.

Again, 2 Kings 20:1-6 is a perfect example of this, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. (2)  Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, (3)  I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. (4)  And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, (5)  Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. (6)  And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.”

A change in man’s conduct brings about a change in God’s judgment. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” – 2 Chronicles 7:14.

The classic passage is in the analogy of the potter and the clay, where the LORD explains to Jeremiah:

“If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents (shub) of its evil, then I will relent (nācham) and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider (nācham) the good I had intended to do for it” - Jeremiah 18:7-10.

God’s character, holiness, and purpose do not change. In the Bible, God’s promises and warnings are always conditional on man’s responses as is recorded in Ezekiel 33:13-16, “ (13)  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. (14)  Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; (15)  If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. (16)  None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live” – Ezekiel 33:13-16.

One of those responses is prayer and intercession.

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