Between the porch and the altar Between The Porch And The Altarlies a sacred space of profound spiritual tension, a threshold where the cry of intercession is heard, not faintly, but with a reverberation that can halt the very wheels of judgment. This is no mere architectural detail of the Tabernacle or Temple; it is a spiritual reality that shapes how we engage with God, how we approach His holiness, and how mercy meets justice. The prophet Joel commands, “Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, ‘Spare your people, O Lord, and do not make your heritage a reproach’” (Joel 2:17). This passage invites us to stand in the place of intercession, right between God’s holiness and His judgment, a place where heartfelt cries can sway the Almighty.
To fully understand the power of this cry, we must first understand the layout and symbolism of the porch and altar in the Tabernacle, as well as the Hebrew words that deepen the meaning.
The Hebrew word for porch, וְהַאֲלֻמִּים (veh-ha’alummim), literally means “the pillars” or “the columns,” the strong supports framing the entrance to God’s holy presence (Exodus 27:9-19). These pillars stand as the threshold of access, the boundary between the outer courtyard, where the people stood, and the more sacred inner spaces. The porch was not merely a structural element but a symbolic gate of approach, where the sinner first faced the reality of God’s presence and holiness.
The altar, מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), was where sacrifices were offered. It was the meeting place between humanity’s brokenness and divine holiness. Blood poured out on the altar signified atonement and reconciliation, an exchange where life was given to cover sin and appease divine justice (Leviticus 1:4). The altar was no distant symbol but a literal and spiritual lifeline, where the price for forgiveness was paid.
Between these two, between the porch, the place of approach, and the altar, the place of sacrifice, is the space of intercession. This is where the priests, the ministers of God, were called to weep and plead on behalf of the people. The Hebrew verb used in Joel 2:17 for “weep,” בָּכָה (bakah), conveys a deep, mournful crying, an intense emotional pouring out. This was not casual lamentation but a desperate, earnest appeal to God’s heart. The priests were to stand visibly between judgment and mercy, embodying the hope that God’s wrath would be stayed.
The phrase “do not make your heritage a reproach” (in Hebrew, אַל־תָּשֶׁת נַחֲלָתְךָ לְכְלִמָּה, al-tashet nachalat’cha lechlimmah) carries a profound weight. God’s “heritage” or “inheritance,” נַחֲלָה (nachalah), refers to His people, Israel, His treasured possession. The intercessors cry out that God would not allow His chosen ones to be shamed or scattered, but rather kept safe under His protection.
The role of intercession is, therefore, to stand as a bridge between divine holiness and human frailty. The cry between the porch and the altar is the voice of one who pleads for mercy while fully acknowledging God’s righteous judgment.
This tension between justice and mercy echoes throughout Scripture and ultimately finds its fullest expression in the ministry of Yeshua the Messiah. In the New Testament, the Greek word for intercession, ἐντυγχάνω (entugchánō), means to intervene or plead with on behalf of another. The writer of Hebrews reveals that Yeshua is the Great High Priest who “always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). He stands in the heavenly sanctuary as the eternal intercessor, having offered the perfect sacrifice on the altar of the cross.
Understanding intercession calls us not only to witness this divine role but also to participate in it. The Bible repeatedly exhorts believers to intercede, for others, for the nations, for mercy to be poured out. The apostle Paul commands in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority.” This demonstrates that intercession is a proactive spiritual responsibility, a calling to carry the burdens of others before God.
But how do we stand between the porch and the altar today? How do we live out this ancient cry in our modern lives? To answer this, we need to explore both the biblical language and practical ways to follow through.
First, standing in intercession requires humility and recognition of our own need for mercy. The Hebrew root for “intercessor,” פָּלַל (palal), means to “judge,” “decide,” or “intercede.” It carries the idea of someone who deliberates or pleads on behalf of others, often acting as a mediator who bridges the gap between two parties. Moses was such a פָּלַל for Israel. When the people sinned with the golden calf, Moses fell on his face and pleaded with God not to destroy His people (Exodus 32:11-14). His cry stopped the judgment, and God relented.
To intercede like Moses is to move beyond personal prayer into a deeper engagement with God’s heart for justice and mercy. It means to labor in prayer until God’s purposes are fulfilled. This kind of intercession is costly and requires spiritual endurance.
To stand in intercession requires a posture of humility first and foremost. This humility is not merely an external demeanor but a profound inward acknowledgment that we ourselves are in need of God’s mercy and grace. Intercession is never the proud or self-righteous exercise of power; it is the tender, burdened plea of one who knows the weight of their own sin and the depth of their own dependence on God’s compassion. The Hebrew root פָּלַל (palal), from which the word for “intercessor” is derived, captures this dynamic beautifully. It means to “judge,” “decide,” or “intercede,” but this is no cold, detached judgment. Instead, it is the act of deliberate pleading or mediating on behalf of others. It is standing in the gap, a bridge-builder between the holy Judge and the fragile, flawed human.
Moses, the great prophet and leader of Israel, stands as the quintessential פָּלַל (palal). In Exodus 32:11-14, after the people fashioned the golden calf, God’s righteous anger was kindled against Israel. The divine judgment was imminent, a consuming fire ready to purge the nation for their grievous sin. But Moses did not flee or shrink back. Instead, he fell on his face before the Lord, a posture of surrender and humility, and cried out, pleading for God’s mercy. The Hebrew phrase “וַיִּפֶן מֹשֶׁה וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל” (vayifen Moshe vayitpalel), “Moses turned and prayed/interceded”, shows Moses deliberately engaging his heart and words in intercession.
This intercession of Moses was not casual; it was a spiritual battle, a wrestling with the heart of God. Moses invoked God’s character, His promises to the patriarchs, and His reputation among the nations, appealing to God’s mercy rather than demanding exemption. His prayer was laden with humility, he did not presume entitlement but appealed to God’s covenant faithfulness.
When Moses intercedes, God’s judgment is stayed: “And the Lord relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people” (Exodus 32:14). Here, the divine decision changes in response to the intercession, not because God is fickle, but because His nature is merciful, and He desires repentance and restoration.
To intercede like Moses, then, is to move beyond mere personal prayer or petition. It means entering into a deeper level of spiritual engagement with God’s heart for justice and mercy. Intercession is not a passive wish but an active labor of prayer, one that is costly in time, emotion, and spiritual endurance. It calls us to stand in the breach for others, pleading with God until His purposes are fulfilled.
This kind of intercession reflects the very heart of God Himself, who is both just and merciful. It requires us to confront our own sinfulness, to bow before God with humility, and then to lift up the burdens of others with persistence and faith.
Paul echoes this depth of intercession in his description of Christ as our mediator, who “always lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25). Yeshua’s intercession is perfect, costly, and eternal. We are invited to participate in this ministry, not to replace His work, but to join His ongoing plea on behalf of the world.
Practically, standing in intercession means we must cultivate humility daily. We come before God aware that we are not righteous in ourselves, but clothed in His mercy. It means listening deeply to the Spirit’s promptings, who helps us intercede according to God’s will (Romans 8:26). It means perseverance, continuing in prayer when answers seem delayed or burdens grow heavy.
In this way, intercession becomes a sacred partnership with God’s own heart, a place where our cries join with the eternal plea of the Messiah to bring mercy, healing, and restoration.
Second, intercession involves entering into God’s presence with reverence and awe. The porch of the Temple, the וְהַאֲלֻמִּים (veh-ha’alummim), was the gateway into the holy place, the threshold where approach was granted but with full awareness of the overwhelming holiness beyond. It was a place of transition, a spiritual boundary where the human soul confronts the infinite holiness of God.
The Hebrew word פָּנִים (panim), commonly translated as “face” or “presence,” holds a depth that reaches beyond the mere physical. To seek God’s פָּנִים is to desire His intimate favor, His welcoming presence, the divine encounter that changes the heart. The Scriptures repeatedly call us to “seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually” (Psalm 105:4). This seeking is not a casual glance but a determined, persistent pursuit, a standing in the gap with a heart fully aligned to God’s will.
To stand before God’s פָּנִים is to come with a contrite spirit, aware that His holiness exposes our frailty and sinfulness. Yet, it is also an invitation to draw near boldly, knowing that God is merciful and desires fellowship with His children (see Hebrews 4:16). This tension between reverence and access characterizes the intercessor’s posture.
Intercession requires that we keep our gaze fixed on God’s פָּנִים. The prophets often spoke of seeking God’s face in the midst of judgment and calamity as a way to find mercy and deliverance. Samuel exhorted Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” And then Samuel says, “Then the Lord will deliver you from the hand of your enemies.” This turning and seeking was a deliberate, communal cry toward God’s presence (1 Samuel 7:3-4).
The word פָּנִים also carries the idea of direction and relationship, where your face is turned shows your heart’s intent. To intercede is to turn our faces away from distractions, self-interest, or fear, and turn them fully toward God in faith and obedience. It is a posture of vulnerability and dependence.
Persistent seeking of God’s פָּנִים means that intercession is not a momentary act but a continual engagement. The Psalmist says, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:2). This longing fuels intercessory prayer, day after day, in seasons of blessing or trial, the intercessor remains at the porch, standing before the altar, seeking the face of God.
Entering God’s presence with reverence also reminds us that intercession is holy work. The space between the porch and altar is where heaven and earth meet. Here, our prayers cross the veil, touching the throne of grace. We are invited to come not with casual hearts but with respect, humility, and expectancy. This holy reverence safeguards us from presumption and opens us to receive God’s mercy.
In practical terms, cultivating reverence in intercession means preparing our hearts through worship, confession, and obedience. It means listening deeply for the Spirit’s guidance and aligning our prayers with God’s purposes. It means guarding our time of prayer against distraction and weariness, embracing it as sacred space.
Ultimately, persistent seeking of God’s פָּנִים in intercession draws us deeper into relationship with Him, transforms our hearts, and releases His mercy into the world.
Third, intercession must be rooted deeply in faith, a confident assurance that God not only hears but also responds to the cries of His people. Intercession without faith becomes mere wishful thinking or empty ritual. But when faith accompanies our prayers, it releases a powerful force that moves the hand of God and alters the course of events.
The prophets and patriarchs of the Bible give us vivid examples of this faith in action. Abraham’s intercession for Sodom stands as a classic testimony. In Genesis 18:23-33, Abraham boldly approaches God, appealing for the city’s salvation. He does not simply accept the pronouncement of judgment but pleads with the Lord, asking, “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city?” Abraham’s persistent questioning reflects his faith that God’s justice is balanced with mercy, that the life of the righteous could save the many.
God responds to Abraham’s intercession by agreeing to spare the city if even ten righteous people are found. Though Sodom ultimately faced destruction, this passage reveals a vital truth: God’s justice does not exclude His responsiveness to prayer and mercy. Abraham’s faith-filled intercession reveals that our petitions can influence divine decisions, not by overriding God’s sovereignty, but by participating in His righteous judgment tempered by mercy.
This interplay between prayer, faith, and divine response connects intriguingly with scientific principles, specifically, the concept of cause and effect. Just as the physical universe operates under consistent laws, gravity, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, so the spiritual realm is governed by spiritual laws that affect reality. Prayer and intercession are not abstract or disconnected but are spiritual causes that bring about real effects in the natural world.
This idea aligns with the biblical teaching that prayer can release divine power and change circumstances. The apostle James declares, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Our faith-filled prayers carry spiritual force, entering into the divine economy of redemption and healing.
Scientifically, cause and effect rely on consistent laws. In the same way, spiritual cause and effect depend on God’s faithfulness to His promises and the alignment of our hearts with His will. When believers pray with perseverance and faith, they become active participants in God’s sovereign plan, partnering with Him to bring forth healing, deliverance, and transformation.
Faith in intercession is not passive but requires persistence. Jesus taught this principle through parables, like the persistent widow who kept pleading until justice was granted (Luke 18:1-8). This story illustrates that faith fuels endurance in prayer, trusting that God hears and will act in His perfect timing.
Furthermore, faith acknowledges God’s sovereignty, it does not presume to command or manipulate God but trusts in His wisdom and goodness. Intercessors pray boldly, yet with the humility of knowing that God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Faith is the engine of intercession. It empowers us to believe that our prayers can influence heaven’s decisions, aligns us with God’s purposes, and sustains us through the waiting. When faith is coupled with persistent, humble prayer, it opens the door for God’s mercy to flow into situations that seem beyond hope.
Fourth, intercession requires a heart deeply burdened for others, a heart that feels the weight of their struggles and stands willing to carry their load before God. This burden is not an occasional feeling but a spiritual weight that compels persistent prayer and pleading.
The prophet Isaiah’s life was marked by such a burden. In Isaiah 6:1-8, he recounts his vision of the Lord seated on the throne, high and exalted. The holiness and glory of God overwhelmed him, and he became acutely aware of the sinfulness of his people. His cry, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips” (Isaiah 6:5), reveals his deep sense of unworthiness and the burden of representing a people in need of God’s intervention.
The Hebrew word for “burden” used here, מַשָּׂא (massa’), literally means “a load,” “a charge,” or “a burden to be carried.” This word appears often in prophetic writings, indicating heavy messages or responsibilities placed upon the prophet to bear before God and the people. To intercede is to take on such a מַשָּׂא, to stand in the gap, spiritually carrying the weight of others’ sins, struggles, and the threat of judgment.
This burdened heart is a hallmark of true intercession. It means that we do not approach prayer lightly or selfishly, but with a full awareness of the desperate need for God’s mercy and healing. The intercessor’s heart aches for those facing judgment or hardship, and this compels persistent prayer.
Practically, this means dedicating time and heart to intercession beyond convenience or routine. The call is to a lifestyle, a continuous engagement with God on behalf of others. The psalmist writes, “My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises” (Psalm 119:148). This reflects the perseverance of the intercessor who refuses to grow weary in seeking God’s intervention.
We can establish regular times to cry out to God, praying fervently for our families, churches, communities, and nations. This is not about casual, distracted prayer but intentional, heartfelt intercession. The early church modeled this in Acts 1:14, where the believers “all joined together constantly in prayer.” This constancy of prayer springs from a burdened heart unwilling to let go until God answers.
Moreover, standing with a burdened heart calls us to empathy and compassion. It moves us beyond words to action, as James writes, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27). True intercession flows into care, service, and sacrificial love.
This spiritual burden is not a weight that crushes but a refining fire that molds us into Christlikeness. As Yeshua bore the world’s sin on the cross, His heart was burdened for lost souls (John 11:35, He wept over Lazarus). We are called to follow His example, carrying the burdens of others with compassion and faith.
In sum, the מַשָּׂא (massa’) of intercession invites us into a costly ministry of prayer that perseveres, a heart that mourns and pleads, and hands willing to serve. This burden is a sacred trust to stand in the spiritual breach so others may be spared.
Fifth, intercession is not a human endeavor alone; it is deeply empowered and enabled by the Holy Spirit, the Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον (Pneuma Hagion), God’s active presence within us. The New Testament makes clear that the Spirit plays a vital role in our prayer life, especially in intercession, helping us when we feel weak, uncertain, or unable to find the words to pray.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that words cannot express.” The Greek word used here for “intercedes,” ἐντυγχάνει (entugchanei), carries the sense of making a strong, urgent plea or petition on someone’s behalf. It is the Spirit’s ministry of intercession that takes our incomplete or confused prayers and presents them perfectly before the Father.
This divine assistance is crucial because human intercession can often be hindered by doubt, lack of understanding, or emotional exhaustion. The Spirit moves beyond our limitations, carrying our burdens, lifting our groans, στεναγμοῖς ἀλαλήτοις (stenagmois alaletois), “unutterable sighs” or “inexpressible groanings.” These are cries from the depths of the heart, transcending human language, reflecting a spiritual reality beyond our comprehension.
Furthermore, the Spirit’s intercession is not random but perfectly aligned with God’s will. Paul adds, “He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God” (Romans 8:27). This means our prayers are transformed and directed so that they harmonize with God’s purposes. The Spirit acts as a divine counselor and advocate, ensuring that our intercession is effective and pleasing to God.
The empowering role of the Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον extends beyond simply helping us pray. The Spirit also strengthens and fills us with power to persist in intercession. Jesus promised the coming of the Spirit to empower His followers to be witnesses and to live holy lives (Acts 1:8). This same Spirit fuels the intercessor’s heart with endurance and boldness.
In the Old Testament, we see echoes of this empowerment when the Spirit of God rested upon prophets and priests, enabling them to stand boldly before kings and God alike. The New Testament brings this promise into full reality through the indwelling Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον, who equips believers to enter into the sacred space between the porch and altar with confidence.
Practically, this means we cannot rely on our own strength or wisdom in intercession. Instead, we must daily surrender to the Spirit’s guidance, asking Him to lead our prayers and empower our petitions. When words fail, the Spirit lifts our groans and communicates on our behalf.
In moments of spiritual dryness or weariness, the Holy Spirit is the intercessor within us, sustaining our cry before the throne. This divine partnership invites humility and dependence, recognizing that true intercession is Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-sustained.
In summary, the Holy Spirit’s role in intercession transforms us from weak petitioners into powerful intercessors, able to plead effectively before God, aligned perfectly with His will, and empowered to persist.
Finally, standing between the porch and the altar is a summons to move beyond prayer alone into a life of sacrificial action. The altar, מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), is not merely a physical structure but a profound spiritual symbol, the place where the holy and the human meet through offering. It is the locus of sacrifice, where life is given up as a fragrant aroma before God (Leviticus 1:9), and where reconciliation and mercy flow forth.
Intercession that remains only in words risks becoming incomplete. True intercession is a living, breathing ministry that compels us to embody the mercy and justice we seek in prayer. The altar calls us to θυσία (thysia), the Greek word for sacrifice, not only in ritual but as the giving of our whole selves in love and service. Just as Yeshua the Messiah offered Himself as the perfect θυσία, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12), so are we called to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).
This sacrificial living is inseparable from intercession. The cry between the porch and the altar is both a spiritual petition and a call to action, a holy tension where prayer meets practice, where faith is shown in works. James reminds us that faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and genuine intercession naturally flows into compassionate deeds, acts of justice, and sacrificial service. It is in this way that we become the hands and feet of God’s mercy, reaching into the brokenness of our world just as Yeshua did, who “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38).
The cry between the porch and the altar is not just a moment but a lifelong ministry that aligns heaven and earth. It is a ministry that stands in the gap, halts judgment, and ushers in mercy. It draws on every dimension of the intercessor’s life: reverence before God, persistent faith, a burdened heart for others, Spirit-led prayer, and sacrificial living. Together, these form a powerful spiritual force that participates in God’s redemptive plan.
The promise found in James 5:16 is a bedrock truth for this ministry: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This righteousness is not from ourselves but comes from being clothed in the righteousness of Messiah Yeshua, whose blood “speaks a better word than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24). Abel’s blood cried out for justice, but the blood of Christ speaks eternal mercy, cleansing, and restoration for all who call upon His name.
Standing firm in this sacred space, the place between the porch and the altar, is to embrace the fullness of the intercessory calling. It is to recognize that our prayers join the eternal plea of the Messiah Himself. Our intercession changes destinies, shifts spiritual atmospheres, and invites God’s kingdom to break through into the present.
So we should rise to this holy calling, not as passive spectators but as active participants in God’s heart for justice and mercy. Our lives should be living sacrifices, offered freely, boldly, and persistently, joining heaven and earth in the cry that transforms worlds.
and THAT is…
