Recently we looked at 1 Sam 12: 23 where it is a sin, not to pray for a leader. So, this verse is clear; If Samuel didn’t pray for Saul, he sinned. Don’t pray, you sin. And the exact opposite of that is Jer 42: 20; in fact it was a fatal mistake that they asked Jeremiah to pray for them. These men are both leaders and both praying men. Sad to say, that even though Samuel prayed for Saul, God still rejected Saul as king. Even though Jeremiah prayed for the people, they were still rejected by God. And clearly God states even if Job, Daniel, Noah prayed Ezek 14: 14 they could save only themselves and no one else, not even their own children Ezek 14: 17. And we already know the comparative text in the NT is 1 John 5: 16-17. What struck me in the Ezek 14: 17 was that even Noah, could not save his kids. Yet his kids were saved. Did he pray for his kids after Gen 6: 18, in that the covenant was with Noah alone, and yet the family was brought in simply to replenish the earth? Did they need praying for, to be saved? No. God had said they will be saved in the ark, regardless of Noah’s prayer. Job always prayed for his children Job 1: 5. Now, by Ezek 14:14 the earth was replenished, so there was no need to save anyone, except the righteous ones as decreed by God. So God says, even if these three men prayed, all the prayers were of no use. When God has decreed something to happen, prayer will not change God’s mind at all. When God says that he will use prayer to change something, it’s not the prayer that changes anything, it is the fact that God says, you will pray, I will use that… 2 Kings 20: 5-6. The language of extension of life, is part of getting to Ps 139: 15b and Job 14:5. So, whether the 3 men prayed or not, it would not save their children, as God said, that is decreed, before time, your prayers will have no effect on this, or by extension, any situation. So, why pray? Because it is clear, prayer cannot update, or change God’s mind. The issue is already settled. Before creation. Will God use your or my prayer? Long ago settled. Well, in Hezekiah’s instance, God chose to use the prayer, as the vehicle of change of the situation. In the Ezek 14 case God decreed it is useless to pray, it will change nothing. So, why pray? Simple. You don’t know whether God will use your prayer or not. So, pray as if it will. And watch how many times God “answers” your prayers. Onwards in prayer.
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22 Elul 5782