Stand In The Gap

Ezekiel 22--

If there is one thing that can be said, it is that mankind has remained consistent in it’s evil and wicked ways. The sad thing about this, is that mankind has failed to learn from the past. We have failed to recognize that God’s standards have not changed.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Throughout history, we have seen God enact vengeance on those who continually reject his ways and continue to try to subvert His laws and precepts. The predictable response from God is to enact his Grace upon mankind and eventually destroying those who remain in disobedience to Him.

In Ezekiel 22, God calls upon Ezekiel to pronounce judgement on Israel because of their many sins, or abominations that have taken place. Much like today, many of those who lived in Ezekiel’s day felt like what they were doing was acceptable and, in some cases, many felt as if they were promoting equality and acceptance of various lifestyles and preferences.

IN SHORT, IT COULD BE STATED THAT WORSHIP OF GOD WITHIN ISRAEL HAD BEEN REPLACED WITH SELF-FILLING DESIRES THAT FED THE FLESH AND PROMOTED A SOCIETY THAT WAS DRIVEN BY GREED AND POWER. Instead of there being a hunger for more of God, there was a hunger for more of self. By defiling her worship, Israel had rendered herself unclean and had defiled temple, city and land. From such defilement God could only withdraw and judge his people with national destruction.

It seemed like each person in Israel competed to see who could commit the most atrocious crimes. A society that was abusive to outsiders and oppressive to insiders. There was bloodshed in the form of human sacrifices that gives the impression that there was no value placed on human life. Whether it was sacrificing babies to fulfill a personal need for freedom, much like abortion, or sacrificing the lives of those who are “not like us” to fulfill a personal need for superiority. There was contempt for orphans and widows, and they were often looked at as a burden to society.

The family structure has been eroded to nothing. Mother and father were being treated with contempt much like today. Sexual relations between two people that were united before God became something that was out of the norm, and replaced with incest and rape. Many of the leaders and common people flocked to the hills to the sex shrines and fornication became unrestrained. Anyone and anything was fair game when it came to sex. Neighbors, daughter-in-laws, sisters, cousins, daughters, brothers, son-in-laws, and the list goes on.

“The Jews were commanded to honor their fathers and mothers (Exodus 20:12), and so are believers today (Ephesians 6:1–3). God even attached a special promise to this commandment—‘that your days may be long upon the land’—and now the Jews were about to be exiled from their land.” (Wiersbe)

WHEN THE NATURAL STRUCTURE OF THE FAMILY IS IGNORED AND REPLACED BY A MAN-MADE FAMILY STRUCTURE, THE THINGS OF GOD BECOME NEGLECTED.

Murder became more common, usury was rampant, extortion was common. The Holy things of God were met with contempt and the sabbath was rejected. Slander towards those who preach the Gospel becomes common place and contempt for the Word of God increases.

God told Ezekiel to let them know that they will feel the wrath of God, and they will know that it is God doing it. He even says to let them know that He knows they have not yet been cleansed by the rain.

Much like today, IF WE KEEP ON THE SAME PATH WE ARE ON, WE WILL FEEL THE WRATH OF GOD. We need a cleansing of the Holy Spirit.

(Eze 22:30-31) So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God.

A. God looks for men who will bring strength, stability and security but instead He only finds those who are weak and unable to stand against the enemy. They lack character and wisdom.

B. God also looks for a man who will pray. To stand before God on behalf of the land is one of the most powerful things a man can do. To stand before the creator of the universe and petition to Him the wants and needs of society is the greatest privilege a man could ever ask for. But God was unable to find one who could be trustworthy enough.