The Bible in a Year
“Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” — Numbers 14:19
As we continue our journey through The Bible in a Year, we come to a moment that could have ended Israel’s story before it truly began. In Numbers 14, the people rebel. They refuse to enter the Promised Land, despite the assurance of God’s presence. Fear overtakes faith. They grumble against Moses. They even speak of stoning Joshua and Caleb for daring to believe God’s promise. Judgment looms. The Lord declares that He will strike them down and begin again with Moses.
And then Moses prays.
This is not a casual prayer whispered in comfort. It is intercession offered in crisis. Moses steps into the breach between a holy God and a rebellious people. His prayer in Numbers 14:19 is a model of wise praying, and it reveals four movements that shape our own life of prayer: he brings problems, he pleads for pardon, he appeals to pity—God’s mercy—and he remembers God’s past performance.
First, Moses goes to God when problems erupt. He does not try to manage the crisis alone. The rebellion is severe. Leadership is threatened. The unity of the nation is fractured. Yet Moses’ first instinct is not retaliation or despair; it is prayer. This teaches us something critical. Problems do not disqualify us from prayer—they drive us to it. When difficulties intensify, our dependence must deepen. As Matthew Henry observed, “Nothing is too hard for the Lord; no request too great for His power.” The size of the problem does not determine the effectiveness of prayer; the greatness of God does.
Second, Moses pleads for pardon. He calls the people’s sin what it is—iniquity. The Hebrew word ʿāwōn carries the idea of guilt and moral crookedness. Moses does not excuse the rebellion. He does not ask God to overlook it as trivial. Instead, he asks for forgiveness. In a world increasingly inclined to redefine sin rather than repent of it, Moses’ prayer feels refreshingly honest. We are tempted to seek permission for what God calls wrong, but wise praying seeks pardon. We cannot experience restoration without confession. David would later echo this truth in Psalm 51: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness.” Forgiveness is not automatic; it is requested with humility.
Third, Moses appeals to God’s pity—His mercy. He asks God to pardon according to the “greatness of thy mercy.” The Hebrew word for mercy here is ḥesed, that steadfast covenant love that binds God to His people. Moses does not base his request on Israel’s merit. There is none. He anchors his plea in God’s character. This is insightful praying. When we approach God on the basis of our performance, we stand on shaky ground. But when we approach Him through the gate of mercy, we stand on the solid foundation of His unchanging love. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Prayer pulls the rope below, and the great bell rings above in the ears of God.” Yet it is mercy that moves the heart of heaven. We receive far more when we appeal to who God is rather than to what we have done.
Finally, Moses recalls God’s performance in the past. “As thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” Moses looks back to look forward. He remembers the Red Sea crossing, the manna in the wilderness, the patience shown again and again. The God who forgave yesterday can forgive today. The God who delivered then can deliver now. Past faithfulness fuels present faith. When we rehearse God’s works, our confidence in prayer grows. We are not asking an untested deity to act; we are calling upon the One whose history is marked by redemption.
As we reflect on this passage in our year-long study of Scripture, we see that prayer is not passive resignation. It is active engagement with God’s purposes. Moses’ intercession spared Israel from immediate destruction. Though consequences remained—they would wander forty years—mercy triumphed over judgment in that moment.
What does this mean for us today? It means no problem is beyond prayer. It means sin must be confessed, not defended. It means mercy, not merit, is our strongest appeal. And it means remembering what God has done strengthens what we believe He will do.
If you find yourself facing a personal wilderness—family strain, spiritual discouragement, leadership burdens—follow Moses’ example. Bring the problem honestly before God. Ask for pardon where sin is present. Appeal to His mercy. Recall His faithfulness. Wise praying does not manipulate God; it aligns us with His character.
For further study on intercessory prayer and the mercy of God, see this helpful article from Desiring God:
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-mercy-of-god
As we continue through The Bible in a Year, let us remember that the narrative of Scripture is not only about God’s mighty acts but also about the prayers of His people. Moses stood in the gap. In Christ, we have an even greater Mediator who ever lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25). That truth alone should move us to faithful, confident prayer.
Keep walking through the Word. Keep praying with wisdom. And let the mercy of God shape how you approach every crisis and every confession.
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