Standing in the Gap

Ezekiel 22:1-31
 
In Chapter 22, we learn why judgment would come to Jerusalem (22:2-16), how it would be approached (22· 17-22), and who would be affected by it (22:23-31). Those actions and sins that occurred back then seem very similar to what is happening in society today (James 3:1). We are living in a period of extraordinary assaults by Satan. It is critical that we maintain in prayers for our leaders, and it is fundamental for the leaders to take accountability to assist them with keeping their spiritual and moral integrity.

Valuable metals are refined with extreme heat to expel the impurities. When heated, the impurities (dross) ascend to the top of the liquid metal and is skimmed off and discarded. The reason for the attack on Jerusalem was to refine the individuals, however, the refining procedure indicated that the individuals, as useless dross, had no good thing in them.

The leaders (priests), those whom God chose, were to keep God's worship pure and to teach the right living. Unfortunately, they had ignored the Sabbath and caused God to become commonplace in everyone's life. They discontinued performing their duties (Leviticus 10:10-11; Ezekiel 44:23). While we are accomplishing God's work, and it turns into not any more significant than any commonplace assignment, that is showing that we have discontinued giving God the worship He merits. Rather than bringing God down to our level, we should be lifting our hearts and our lives up to His level.

The 'hedge' was not a physical wall, but rather faithful people united to resist evil. The hedge had become broken and crumbling because there wasn't anyone who could guide the people back to God. Feeble attempts to repair through religious rituals and opinionated messages not based on God's Word, were worthless, which is basically like using a band-aid or whitewash to cover the problem instead of getting to the cause of the problem. The people needed spiritual rebuilding.

At the point when we give the presence of adoring God without living by His direction, we are concealing sins which could in the long run harm our lives farther than can be repaired. We should not utilize religion as a band-aid or whitewash; we need to fix our lives by living by the standards of God's Word. It is then that we can unite with others to 'stand in the gap' and have any kind of effect for God in the world. 

• Psalm 106:23, Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
• Ezekiel 13:5, Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord.

So, what does it mean to stand in the gap?

• To mediate between two groups
• To forge a connection
• To fill a void
• To step up
• To take the initiative

 
Who in the Bible filled a gap?

• Moses – for the people
• David – against a giant
• Nehemiah – work to be done
• Esther – for a nation
• Jesus – saved the world

 
How can we fill the gap?
Intercessory Prayer:

• 1 Timothy 2:1, I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions. and giving of thanks, be made for all men.
• Ephesians 6:18, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

 
Work: 

• 1 Corinthians 3:9, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
• 2 Timothy 2:15, Study tu show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 
Witness: 

• Matthew 5:16, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
•  Acts 1:8, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in al Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 
Preach: 

• Mark 16:15, And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 
• 1 Corinthians 1:21, For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

 
Spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ: 

• Psalms 96:3, Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.
• Matthew 28:19, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.