We are in chapter eight of Exodus with our word for today. עָתַר plead, supplicate, pray, entreat, burn incense. It is used 22 times in the Old Testament, 5 times in our chapter. Let’s look at them in our chapter. Exodus 8:8-9, 28-30 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron and said, הַעְתִּ֣ירוּ “Plead with the Lord to take away the frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” Moses said to Pharaoh, “Be pleased to command me when I am to אַעְתִּ֣יר plead for you and for your servants and for your people, that the frogs be cut off from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile.”…So Pharaoh said, “I will let you go... הַעְתִּ֖ירוּ Plead for me.” Then Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you and I will וְהַעְתַּרְתִּ֣י plead with the Lord that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow. Only let not Pharaoh cheat again by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the Lord.” So Moses went out from Pharaoh and וַיֶּעְתַּ֖ר prayed to the Lord. Our word is used three more times in this same context of Pharaoh asking Moses to pray for God to stop the plague that he is suffering in. The irony is that Pharaoh started mocking God thinking that worshiping God is a waste of time and saying that he doesn’t know YHWH. To now experiencing the true, I AM or God whose name is reality. God is showing Pharaoh that He really is God not the gods of Egypt that he was worshiping. God is reality the ever existing true God.
I find it interesting how bold Moses is letting Pharaoh decide what time he would like the frogs taken away so that when he prays he can ask God to do it at that specific time. And Moses tells Pharaoh the reason why he is doing it this way. Exodus 8:10-11 And he said, “Tomorrow.” Moses said, “Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. The frogs shall go away from you and your houses and your servants and your people. They shall be left only in the Nile.” This reminds me of the boldness and confidence Jesus had in his prayers. Here is a great example. John 11:41-44 Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” In case we think that God only hears Jesus the Son of God let’s not forget what the Bible says in several places. Jesus himself said this. John 14:12-14 Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these...And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. And this great reminder. James 5:16-18 The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. I love this truth that people like Elijah and us, created beings, our prayers are powerful and effective because of God who answers them. Did you notice how completely effective Moses prayer was in our chapter when he prayed for Pharaoh who asked for him to plead that they be taken away. Exodus 8:31 And the Lord did as Moses asked, and removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; not one remained. That’s awesome from swarms of flies to not a single fly left.
When we know God’s will revealed to us in the Bible we can bolding pray and show others how God is answering our prayers to glorify himself. I’ll close with this amazing encouragement from God. Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Job 33:26 that person can יֶעְתַּ֤ר pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.
