“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them.” (vv.30-31a)
Ezekiel 22 makes plain the sins that were the reason for God’s judgment upon Israel. This condemnation is framed as a court case against the present generation, and especially its leadership. Their sins were extensive: idolatry, abuse of power, violence or bloodshed, slander, desecration of the Sabbath, sexual immorality, taking bribes, and other forms of social injustice and self–indulgence.
Leaders should serve rather than prey on others for personal gain. Priests should serve the Lord rather than leading the way to the altars of false idols. God looked for but could not find a single righteous person to “stand in the gap,” to intercede for a larger group, as when Moses prayed for the Israelites (Num. 21:4–9) or when Jesus prayed for His disciples (John 17).
Therefore, the furnace of God’s judgment would burn away these sins and purify His people (vv.18–22).
As followers of Christ should we not stand in the gap for our country in prayer? Social injustices such as racism and abortion anger the Lord, but we have the privilege and responsibility of interceding in prayer for our nation and its leaders. Please join me in that, for our country is in desperate need of it.
The Truth: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Ezekiel 22 makes plain the sins that were the reason for God’s judgment upon Israel. This condemnation is framed as a court case against the present generation, and especially its leadership. Their sins were extensive: idolatry, abuse of power, violence or bloodshed, slander, desecration of the Sabbath, sexual immorality, taking bribes, and other forms of social injustice and self–indulgence.
Leaders should serve rather than prey on others for personal gain. Priests should serve the Lord rather than leading the way to the altars of false idols. God looked for but could not find a single righteous person to “stand in the gap,” to intercede for a larger group, as when Moses prayed for the Israelites (Num. 21:4–9) or when Jesus prayed for His disciples (John 17).
Therefore, the furnace of God’s judgment would burn away these sins and purify His people (vv.18–22).
As followers of Christ should we not stand in the gap for our country in prayer? Social injustices such as racism and abortion anger the Lord, but we have the privilege and responsibility of interceding in prayer for our nation and its leaders. Please join me in that, for our country is in desperate need of it.
The Truth: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
