Prayer, Session 4: Prayer in the Life of Moses

Read the passage: Exodus 32:7-14; Exodus 33:1-3, 12-16; Exodus 34:5-8 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

In the time Moses was up Mt Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the people of Israel abandoned God for a golden calf.

Read the aftermath of this in Exodus 32:7-14.

1. In v7, how does God describe the people of Israel, and how does Moses respond in v11? What point is Moses making?
   • Describe the attitude that Moses adopted in prayer. (We will see more of this in Ch 33).
   • When you are faced with a situation you don’t like, do you speak as bluntly and honestly to God as Moses does here? Why or why not?
2. Look at v10 – what is God suggesting to Moses? In his prayer, how does Moses respond to this suggestion?
   • Look at v12 – what is Moses’ concern if God carries through with the destruction of the people?
     • Given this, does Moses care more about his name and fame (a new ‘nation of Moses’, coming from him!) or God’s name?
     • Do you display a similar concern as Moses for the honour of God’s name, and how he is seen by unbelievers, in your prayers?
     • How might our prayers be hindered by caring more about our name/fame/ status than God’s?
3. As well as caring deeply for the honour of God’s name and how destroying Israel would reflect on God’s character, Moses also cares deeply about the people themselves, and intercedes for them. What part does praying for the salvation of others play in your prayers?
   • Do we care enough about this, do you think?
4. Look at v13: what does Moses do?
   Moses’ intercession stops God destroying the people (v14). However, in the next section God goes on to say that he will no longer go with the people through the desert, lest he destroy them, but instead send an angel to accompany them.
   • People talk about ‘pleading the promises in prayer’, that is, taking what God has promised he will do and putting those promises before him and pleading with him to be faithful to his word, as Moses does here. Do you do this?
     • Is there a situation you are facing at the moment where you could do this?

Read Exodus 33:1–3 and 12-16

5. Once again, how would you describe Moses’ attitude to God as he prays?
6. As well as wanting God to go with them, and not just an angel, what does Moses most want God to do for him in v13.
   • Do you share Moses’ passion to know God and his ways more deeply? Is that something you ask God for?
7. In response, in v14, God promises that he will still go with Israel. So, having secured the salvation of Israel from judgement, and the presence of God to accompany them, Moses makes a further request of God in v18. What is it?
   • Do you ever find yourself praying something similar? Do you long to encounter God in greater measure and experience?
8. In v19-23, how does God say he will answer Moses’ prayer?
9. Read Exodus 34:5-8. What does God do to reveal his glory to Moses?
   • How does God describe himself?
   • What is Moses’ response to this revelation of God’s character?
10. Read John 1:14, 17-18; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3.
    • How are we even more privileged than Moses?

Recap & Reflect

• Given all the above, how should a deep desire to grow in our knowledge, experience and worship of Christ shape our lives generally and our prayer lives specifically?

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or the helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

1. In v7, how does God describe the people of Israel, and how does Moses respond in v11? What point is Moses making?
   God describes them as Moses’ people – who Moses rescued. It is as if God is distancing himself from them. In response Moses calls them God’s people and reminds God that it was he, the Lord, who had rescued them. He is reminding God of his responsibility to his people.
   • Describe the attitude that Moses adopted in prayer. (We will see more of this in Ch 33).
     He is bold. To describe him as confrontational or getting in God’s face or challenging God would not be out of place.
2. Look at v10 – what is God suggesting to Moses? In his prayer, how does Moses respond to this suggestion?
   God’s suggestion is that he builds a new nation out of Moses; Moses will become the new ‘Abraham.’ Moses responds by imploring God to do otherwise; he reminds God of his promises to Abraham and the other patriarchs.
   • Look at v12 – what is Moses’ concern if God carries through with the destruction of the people?
     Moses is concerned for how this will reflect on God’s character and reputation, what pagans will say about God if he does this.

4. Look at v13: what does Moses do?
   Moses’ intercession stops God destroying the people (v14). However, in the next section God goes on to say that he will no longer go with the people through the desert, lest he destroy them, but instead send an angel to accompany them.
   Read Exodus 33:1–3 and 12-16
   He pleads God’s previous promises.

6. As well as wanting God to go with them, and not just an angel, what does Moses most want God to do for him in v13.
   Moses wants to know God and his ways, that he might live in his favour.
7. In response, in v14, God promises that he will still go with Israel. So, having secured the salvation of Israel from judgement, and the presence of God to accompany them, Moses makes a further request of God in v18. What is it?
   He wants to see God’s glory.

9. Read Exodus 34:5-8. What does God do to reveal his glory to Moses?
   He proclaims his Name before him. His name expresses his character, and his character displays his glory.
10. Read John 1:14, 17-18; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3.
    • How are we even more privileged than Moses?
      We get to ‘see’ the glory of God in Christ. He is the greatest manifestation of God’s glory, the full expression of his character in human form.

Download the complete study: Bible study on Prayer (PDF)