Blessed To Bless And The Chain Of Intercession

1. When Someone Steps In

In 1981, during the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, a Secret Service agent named Tim McCarthy instinctively stepped between the president and the gunman. McCarthy spread his arms and took a bullet that would likely have struck Reagan in the chest. McCarthy later said he didn’t have time to think about it. Training and instinct took over—his job was to step in when someone else was in danger. That moment illustrates the essence of intercession. Someone stands between danger and another person. Spiritually speaking, that is exactly what happens in Exodus 4. Moses was in danger of God’s judgment—but someone stepped in.

2. Mediation or Intercession is a unique privilege – 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

3. When we pray for others, we become part of God’s chain of command.

I. A Dangerous Neglect: Moses and the Covenant (Exodus 4:24)

“At a lodging place on the way, the LORD met him and sought to put him to death.”

A. God’s Response to Moses’ Neglect

1. This is one of the most shocking passages in Scripture.

2. God had just called Moses to deliver Israel, but now God threatens to kill him.

3. The Problem was that Moses had neglected to circumcise his son.

4. Circumcision represented the Abrahamic covenant. Neglecting it would “cut off” the man from the community

(Genesis 17:10-14 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”).

5. Ironically, the Lawgiver, Moses, was disobeying a fundamental command.

B. Several influences may have shaped Moses and caused his neglect:

1. Egyptian upbringing – Raised in Pharaoh’s palace with little covenant instruction.

2. Rejection by the Hebrews – After killing the Egyptian, he fled and became disconnected from his people.

3. Forty years in Midian – Living outside the covenant community.

4. A Midianite wife – Zipporah came from outside Abraham’s covenant, making his son technically belong to two worlds—Midianite through his mother, Hebrew through his father.

5. Moses had allowed cultural pressure to overshadow covenant obedience.

[A fire chief once said the most dangerous firefighter is not the one who fears the fire, but the one who forgets the rules meant to protect him. Moses was about to lead Israel—but he had neglected the very covenant he was sent to defend.

C. God does not overlook covenant responsibility because someone has a great calling. He holds them to a higher standard. (James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.)

II. A Surprising Intercessor: Zipporah Cuts In (Exodus 4:25)

“Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it.”

A. Zipporah’s Unexpected Actions:

1. She was a Midianite outside the covenant, yet she understood something Moses had neglected: God takes His covenant seriously.

2. She Offers a Blood Response: Circumcision was more than a ritual. It represented:

• Covenant belonging

• The cutting away of sin

• The promise of future redemption

B. Zipporah’s act became a blood offering that saved Moses’ life.

[During the American Revolution, when British troops captured Nathan Hale, the young patriot faced execution. His final words were famous: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Many patriots stepped forward to sacrifice for others. Zipporah did something similar spiritually. She stepped into the crisis and acted decisively, identifying with Israel rather than Midian. Her action saved Moses.

III. Mercy Experienced Produces Intercession (Exodus 32:11–14)

A. God Determined to Destroy Israel Because of the Golden Calf

B. Moses Interceded. Exodus 32:11–12 “Moses implored the LORD his God…”

1. As a shepherd and priest, Moses stood between God’s wrath and Israel.

2. Moses interceded because he had experienced mercy himself.

3. Thanks to Zipporah, Moses knew firsthand what it meant to be saved from judgment.

[People who survive a life-threatening situation often become passionate advocates for others.