Among the many characteristics of Moses, one that is outstanding is that he was a man of prayer. When Israel, going out of Egypt, traveled through the wilderness, the people of Amalek came out to fight against them. From a high vantage point where he could see the battle, Moses lifted up his hands in petition to God for victory for the armies of Israel (Ex. 17).

At another time, when Moses was criticized by his sister Miriam, and the Lord smote her with leprosy, Moses pleaded with the Lord for her (Num. 12). When the people of Israel bowed down before the golden calf that Aaron had made—God being very displeased with them to the point that He told Moses He would blot out their name from under heaven—Moses fell down before the Lord, petitioning on their behalf, as at the first, for forty days and forty nights without consuming food or water. He also implored the Lord for Aaron, that God would not destroy him for having made the golden image.

Then some time later, when the people of Israel were told to go in to take possession of the land and they refused to do so, God again declared to Moses that He would destroy them and make of Moses a nation greater than Israel. Moses prostrated himself before the Lord again for forty days and forty nights pleading that God would work for His own honor and glory (Dt. 9:25). Moses labored fervently in prayer, at great sacrifice to himself, and this was not for himself but on behalf of others—even those who had wronged him—for their good and preservation. His motive was that God would receive honor and glory. What an example and model for us! Let us pray.