Sermon “Intercessors Needed"
Scripture Lesson - Ezekiel 22:23-31 “Again a message came to me from the Lord: “Son of man, give the people of Israel this message: In the day of my indignation, you will be like a polluted land, a land without rain. Your princes plot conspiracies just as lions stalk their prey. They devour innocent people, seizing treasures and extorting wealth. They make many widows in the land. Your priests have violated my instructions and defiled my holy things. They make no distinction between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that I am dishonored among them. Your leaders are like wolves who tear apart their victims. They actually destroy people’s lives for money! And your prophets cover up for them by announcing false visions and making lying predictions. They say, ‘My message is from the Sovereign Lord,’ when the Lord hasn’t spoken a single word to them. Even common people oppress the poor, rob the needy, and deprive foreigners of justice. “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”
Introduction: Ezekiel 22 is God’s commentary on the sins of Israel’s leaders. The main question is “Who will stand in the gap in this leadership void?” The various categories of leaders are taken to task for their promotion of sin, idolatry, social injustice and any number of other transgressions that cause a nation to spiral downward away from allegiance to God. God confronts the people with the sins of Jerusalem and the judgment that God will bring upon it. The chapter also calls out the corruption of Jerusalem's leaders, including prophets, priests, and the nobility. In Ezekiel 22:30, God says, "I looked for someone to stand in the gap" to save Jerusalem from destruction, but found no one. This verse uses the image of a breached wall to represent the effects of sin on the city. Proverbs 14:34 reminds us that, “Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” God looked for someone who would rebuild the wall of righteousness that was guarding the Nation and keep the land safe.
The name Ezekiel means God strengthens or God empowers. This young prophet of God saw some difficult times ahead. If the nation did not change course, if no one was found to stand in the gap, dark days were ahead. Those dark days of the coming captivity would affect everyone. The judgment of God would allow them to be carried to Babylon. Ezekiel could see that He along with Daniel, the three Hebrew boys and many other skilled and educated Jews would be carried away. In Babylon, they would lose their identity, their heritage and their dignity. It is one thing to go into captivity, but they would remain in bondage for 70 years. God sent the word of warning seven years before the Babylonian captivity. In this despairing situation, the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel in visions and revelations that were designed to call the nation back to God and give them hope for the future.
Ezekiel was called to prophesy to the nation and dispel the false notion of prophets who were prophesying falsely in God’s name. Ezekiel also identified gross sin as the culprit for their present condition. Sin would be the reason for God’s severe punishment. God will always judge sin. Ezekiel also shared a message of hope for the future. Although Israel had been unfaithful to God, God remained faithful to his covenant people. If they would only repent and turn back to God, a glorious future was ahead.
Ezekiel was God’s watchman on the wall. God allow Ezekiel to observe the nation and make an assessment. His observation revealed some serious problems in the nation. The nation had devalued human life, murder and manslaughter were running rampant. There was wide spread rebellion against authority. There was a general disrespected parenthood. Oppression and exploitation of the poor, needy and the strangers was common place. They dishonor God, his ordinances, his word and his holy things. All manner of sex sins: adultery, incest, fornication and the like was rampant throughout the people of God.
Ezekiel 22:18, 19 "Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver. Therefore, thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem."
The whole nation had become as gross of silver, a residue of what they should have been. They had become almost worthless, something to be discarded. Righteousness indeed exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people regardless of who they are. The sin was now a national problem. The prince and the priest were involved. The prophets, tribal leaders, the elders and the common folk were all involved. Oppression and injustice was the order of the day. At a time when life had been turned upside down, God sought for a man.
Israel, God’s witness to the world had given themselves over to idolatry, injustice, uncleanness, and abominations of every kind; and had profaned in the most shocking manner their religion and their service to God. The corruption spread among persons in the community: the prophet seduced the people; the priests broke the law and profaned the holy things; the magistrates were addicted to injustice, dishonest gain, fraud, and violence. Not only was sin pulling the nation towards destruction, it was depriving the nation of God’s Divine protection, and was forcing God to send His judgments against them. These sins God hated and determined to judge. Yet during this nation’s sinfulness, God sought to be gracious, so He looked for a man who would stand in the gap for right and righteousness.
1. An Intercessor Who Stands For Righteousness - Ezekiel 22:30 "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
An offensive stand for righteousness! When the problems were at their worst and new challenges coming daily, God said, "I sought for a man among them that can find grace in my sight." As pitiful as the nation appeared to be, you would probably think that there was no one among them that God could use. Notice, God did not go search for an outsider, God sought for a man among them! Our God is all powerful and can do anything but He chooses to work through men. Every protective barrier has failed; Kings, prophets, priest, governors, pastors and judges. God is searching for an intercessor like Noah who found grace in the eyes of the Lord, like Abraham who pleaded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, or like Moses who intercedes for Israel in the wilderness that God would withhold his judgment and have mercy on his people. God looked for an intercessor to stand between sinful men and a Holy God to raise up a new standard of righteousness.
The Hebrew word for man is essh or ish, which means to be extant, still existing. It is closely related to the word champion or survivor meaning to continue to live or exist in spite of. You might say, "And I sought for an intercessor among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none."
You see, in times like these, God needs a man, a survivor, a champion who recognizing the power of prayer, the value of holy living and is willing to raise God’s standard. Someone who has experienced problems and difficulties without compromising their beliefs; Someone who has been tempted and tried, almost knocked out, but got back up again. God needs an intercessor who has fought, suffered, struggled, cried, complained, who has been fearful, afraid and even failed but kept holding on to God.
(A Fist Full of Dollars, and a few dollars more! A Clint Eastwood Film) There is a scene in both movies, when the chips were down and all hope seemed loss. The guns began to blaze, and smoke filled the screen, but when the smoke cleared, Clint Eastwood, the star was still standing. He had been nearly beaten to death, took month to recover and his enemies had forgotten. Yet like a phoenix he rose from the ashes.
God is looking for an intercessor who can say, “But through it all, they have learned to trust in Jesus and learned to trust in God.” Someone who still standing, although the battles had been furious, long and hard. Someone that has been through the water, the fire and the smoke, but when the smoke cleared, you were still standing and pleading with God to have mercy! Mercy suits our case.
2. An Intercessor Who Stand Against Ungodliness and Worldliness - "that should make up the hedge" The hedge is a wall of protection. This does not refer to wall made of stones or brick and mortar, but a wall made up of faithful men courageous enough to stand against unrighteousness, ungodliness and worldliness. Those willing to unite in prayer, live by God’s righteous standard and become faithful stewards of God’s authority as they resist the forces of darkness that threaten to destroy the nation. The hedge around Israel was in disrepair because there was no one who could lead the nation back to God. The prophets and priests were embracing the conduct of the world. They simply ignored the sin problem and white washed the situation. What the people needed was total spiritual reconstruction. They needed revival. Isaiah said it this way, Isaiah 59:16 "And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."
Isaiah 63:5 "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me."
Jeremiah said it this way, Jeremiah 5:1 "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it."
Ezekiel, Isaiah and Jeremiah are all in agreement that God sought for a man, a lone survivor who knows the power of prayer, and who will live God's righteous standard and show up for duty. With compromise all around us and the world is calling right wrong and wrong right. Men must make us the hedge. Godly men must be different.
3. An Intercessor Who Stand in the Gap and Rebuild the Wall - God needs men to stand in the gap, in the break, in the weak place. God needs men to close the door that the enemy is using to overthrow the families, the church and the community. Men of character, as Abraham who made intercession for the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot had made some serious mistakes but Abraham refused to give up on his nephew. Or as Moses, who stood in the gap for Israel when God would have destroyed them in the wilderness. The Children of Israel were disobedient, complained, and disgruntled, but Moses refused to give up on them. Or like Christ who prayed for Peter when Satan desired to have him that he might sift him as wheat. Peter was short-tempered, spoke out of term and was a little too bold at times, but Christ did not give up on him.
Luke 22:31,32 "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you. that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren."
Satan was planning the demise of all the disciples, had targeted them for destruction, but Jesus prayed for them. Jesus chose to stand in the gap and rebuild a wall of protection. You see, Peter was a leader, he became the primary target. Satan thought that if I can get Peter, I can get them all! But Jesus prayed, not to prevent him from going through the fire and through flood. He prayed that he would survive with his faith intact. And when the smoke clears, after that trying and testing experience, Peter would be in position to strengthen the brethren. I know there are attacks, the fires are blazing, there are floods, and storms have been raging. A breach has developed in our neighborhoods, churches and homes. God is calling on those still standing, to stand in the gap and make up the hedge. Is anybody still standing? Is there an intercessor in the house? If there is, stands for righteousness, stand against unrighteousness, ungodliness and worldliness, and while in the gap, rebuild the walls of righteousness and justice. Believers are called to stand before a Holy God as faithful intercessors, praying, living holy loving God and others.
4. Intercessors Who Recognize Their Place in God’s Plan. “A man among them” Recognizing our place as believers and intercessor is important for the health of the nation, the state, the community, and the church. It is a part of God’s plan. When godly people began to answer the call of God to make up the hedge and stand in the gap, it will help the world. Men, women and children we will see godly example and they too will find their proper place. Is there an intercessor listening? Is there any survivors listening? Anybody who took a licking, but by the grace of God you kept on ticking? Anybody who use to be lost, but now you are found? Anybody been truly converted? Well then, strengthen the brethren! You are a prime candidate to be used by God! You are here today because God wants to use you!
God wants to use you to stand for righteousness, stand against unrighteousness, ungodliness and worldliness, and then, stand in the gap, rebuild the walls of righteousness and justice. Believers are called to stand before a Holy God as faithful intercessors, praying, living holy, loving God and others. And finally, remember godly people have always been a part of God’s plan to save the world. We have been equipped to see the breach, stand in the gap, strengthen the weak places and rebuild the walls of righteousness, godliness and justice. Never allow it to be said again, "I looked for someone to stand in the gap" to save Jerusalem from destruction but found no one.” Let’s be like Isaiah, Isaiah 6:8-9, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.”
Even though our society is blinded by misinformation, experiencing information overload, entertainment driven, and seeking pleasure more than seeking God, we must say, here am I, send me.! Keep standing in the gap, rebuilding the wall of righteousness and keep showing up for duty! Amen.
