“Be An Intercessor!”(Ex.32:7-14).
Ndibnu and Ndibmun were in the same kind of business. Their shops were opposite to each other. An angel of the Lord visited Ndibnu and told him, “The LORD has sent me to bless you with whatever you ask for. He has also said that whatever you ask for, he will give Ndibmun a double measure.” Ndibnu reflected for a while, and with a mischievous smile, he told the angel, “Make me blind on one eye!”
While Moses was still up the mountain, the people pressured Aaron, and he made for them a golden calf as their god. This was against the commandment that they should not make and worship idols.
The LORD was angry with the people, and among other things, he told Moses, “…Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then, I will make you into a great nation…’
Our question for today: What will be your response if you are a leader and the LORD makes such a promise to you?
In the opening anecdote, Ndibnu could have asked the angel for any amount of capital to expand his business. But out of self-centeredness, avarice, and selfishness, he preferred to be blinded on one eye so that Ndibmun should be blinded on both eyes.
Most leadership in Africa has the Ndibnu spirit – and this does not exclude ecclesiastical leadership.
When leaders loot funds that were intended to benefit the masses, they are simply happy that they are blessed at the expense of the rest of the people.
Moses’ response to the LORD was an intercessory prayer for the people. Moses did not see any benefit if the LORD eliminated the rest of the people and made him into a great nation.
Moses pleaded with the LORD on behalf of the people.
Instead of jubilating in the promise, “Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.”
When Moses interceded, “the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.”
We learn these lessons:
- Be a leader who stands the gap for his people.
- The LORD is merciful and compassionate. He changes his mind when we plead with him. Christ is the incarnation of his mercy and compassion.
- We should not provoke the LORD’S anger by our disobedience.
- We should not underestimate the power of prayer. Pray without ceasing.
Sunday prayer: LORD, make your face shine on us and be gracious to us. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
25/05/2025.