Deuteronomy 9:18
Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss is that Moses’ forty days of fasting and prayer weren't for his own sins, but were an act of profound empathy and sacrifice on behalf of the people's sin. This wasn't just intercession; it was a deep, personal suffering for their rebellion, demonstrating that even the righteous can be burdened by the sins of others.
Just before this, Moses recounted the people's grave sin: making and worshiping a golden calf while he was receiving God's law on Mount Sinai. This verse reveals Moses' immediate, intense response—he fell prostrate before God for forty days and nights, fasting, not for his own failings, but deeply grieved by Israel's rebellion and their actions that angered God. This profound act of intercession is presented as a stark contrast to Israel's sin and a crucial part of God's continued mercy.
Moses spent two separate, intense periods of forty days and nights in God's presence. What fueled this incredible dedication?
Imagine the scene: after the people's devastating sin with the golden calf, Moses didn't just get angry and walk away. He went back up Mount Sinai.
A Sacrifice of Self
This wasn't just a quick prayer; it was a forty-day fast and prayer. He neither ate nor drank, pouring out his entire being before God.
Praying for Others
His focus was entirely on the sin of Israel, "because of all your sins which you had committed." This wasn't about his own needs, but about interceding for a rebellious people. It's a powerful picture of selfless prayer, bearing the burden of others' failures before God.
The Bible repeatedly mentions Israel provoking God. What does this truly mean, and why was Moses so deeply grieved by it?
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The phrase "to provoke him to anger" appears multiple times in this passage. It speaks to actions that intentionally defy God's will and disregard His presence.
More Than Just Disobedience
This wasn't merely accidental wrongdoing. Israel's sin of idolatry, alongside their unbelief and ingratitude, was an open rebellion. They acted wickedly "in the sight of the LORD," meaning their sin was not hidden but was committed in full view of God's glory displayed on the mountain.
The Heart of the Matter
Moses' deep sorrow and extended fasting stemmed from understanding the severity of their actions. He knew how deeply their sin wounded their relationship with a holy God and jeopardized the covenant promises.
Understand the original words
naphal · Hebrew Verb
To fall down or prostrate oneself, signifying deep humility, earnest supplication, and total dependence before God.
ra' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Ethically wrong, perverse, or harmful conduct that stands in opposition to the character and requirements of God.
aph · Hebrew Noun
A strong emotional response of God against sin; it is His settled, righteous opposition to all that is contrary to His holiness.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
To incite or cause an intense emotional reaction, particularly God's righteous indignation due to blatant disobedience or idolatry.
This passage describes Moses' initial intercession before God for the Israelites after they made the golden calf, setting the precedent for his deep concern and action in Deuteronomy 9:18.
Exodus 34:28This verse directly links to Moses' second period of forty days and nights fasting and praying on Mount Sinai, which aligns with the intense intercession described in Deuteronomy 9:18.
Nehemiah 9:17This passage reflects on God's past actions, including Moses' intercession and prayer, highlighting God's willingness to forgive despite Israel's rebellions.
Romans 8:34This New Testament verse speaks of Christ's intercession for believers, drawing a parallel to Moses' role as an intercessor for Israel, showing that intercession is a key divine strategy for dealing with sin.
Luke 4:2This verse mentions Jesus fasting for forty days and nights, mirroring Moses' intense period of fasting and prayer, emphasizing the spiritual discipline involved in confronting temptation and sin.
pooleDeuteronomy 9:18: "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
I fell down, in way of humiliation and supplication, on your behalf.
gillDeuteronomy 9:18: "And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
And I fell down before the Lord,.... In prayer for Israel who had sinned; but this he did not immediately after he had broken the tables, but when he had first ground the calf to powder, strewed it on the water, and made the children of Israel dri…
What's easy to miss is that Moses’ forty days of fasting and prayer weren't for his own sins, but were an act of profound empathy and sacrifice on behalf of the people's sin. This wasn't just intercession; it was a deep, personal suffering for their rebellion, demonstrating that even the righteous can be burdened by the sins of others.
Just before this, Moses recounted the people's grave sin: making and worshiping a golden calf while he was receiving God's law on Mount Sinai. This verse reveals Moses' immediate, intense response—he fell prostrate before God for forty days and nights, fasting, not for his own failings, but deeply grieved by Israel's rebellion and their actions that angered God. This profound act of intercession is presented as a stark contrast to Israel's sin and a crucial part of God's continued mercy.
Just before this, Moses recounted the people's grave sin: making and worshiping a golden calf while he was receiving God's law on Mount Sinai. This verse reveals Moses' immediate, intense response—he fell prostrate before God for forty days and nights, fasting, not for his own failings, but deeply grieved by Israel's rebellion and their actions that angered God. This profound act of intercession is presented as a stark contrast to Israel's sin and a crucial part of God's continued mercy.
"Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger." — What's easy to miss is that Moses’ forty days of fasting and prayer weren't for his own sins, but were an act of profound empathy and sacrifice on behalf of the people's sin. This wasn't just inter…
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