PR. DENIS KALUNGI KIREKA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

25TH/09/2021

STANDING IN THE GAP (EZEKIEL 22:30)

In Ezekiel 22:30 the Lord says, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” The word picture painted in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or a gap in it. 

A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the breach. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible. If a breach was left unattended or unimpaired, the city would fall.

Ezekiel 22 summarizes the sins and abuses of the nation. As punishment for Israel’s sins, God says He will disperse them among the nations. He says in verses 30–31, “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one

In chapter 22, we see the current sins being committed. This state of corruption has affected all classes of people in the kingdom, just like how a little leaven leavens the whole lump, all of Israel was corrupted with sin. God seeks for a man to stand in the gap and bring people to repentance from their terrible sins. In other words, no matter who they were and what they did, they all turned from God and walked in their ways. 

The following list describes the sins of the people and as I read through this list, consider if we are seeing the same terrible situation in our world and our churches today? 

The Prophets (Ezekiel 22:25): The conspiracy of the prophets in their midst, like a roaring lion ravening the prey, they devoured souls, and they have taken treasures and precious things and have made many widows.

The Priests (Ezekiel 22:26): They do violence to God’s law and profane the holy things. They teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean and shut their eyes to keep the Sabbath.

The Princes or rulers (Ezekiel 22:27): They are like wolves who tear apart their victims, shedding blood, and destroying lives to get dishonest gain.

The Prophets – again (Ezekiel 22:28): They whitewash the deeds of the princes by false visions and lying divisions. They say, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says” when the Lord has not spoken.

People of the land (Ezekiel 22:29): People of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. 

Because of all such sins, God looks for just one righteous person who would stand in the gap for the people, and He could find no one. God is always seeking out men to stand in the gap, and we see examples in scripture who had the courage and insight to stand in the gap. Abraham interceded for Sodom and lot {Genesis 18:22-33}

Moses stood in the gap and interceded for the children of Israel see it herein {Exodus 32:30-32} the next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. 

Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!”

God called Moses in the wilderness to stand in the gap and lead the people of Israel out. God called Isaiah to prophesy to His people, along with all the other prophets. God called Jonah to warn Nineveh, and God called the disciples to preach the Gospel of Grace to the Jews and Gentiles {Deuteronomy 9:13-14}.

Likewise, in today’s world, we see the same sort of unrighteousness taking place? moral is corruption increasing day by day; we have corrupted leaders, corrupted prophets, corrupted shepherds in the Church, false visions, false teachings, false prophets, and all sorts of deceptions in the Church and the world. Who is there to stand in the gap? 

We live in a time and season where there is only a small remnant of true “lovers” of God. Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” is a follower of Christ {Matthew 7:21}. The word of God is not honored, and deceptive teachings teach all things man-centered and not God-centered. 

Are you willing to stand in the gap? Are you ready to stand up for the truth of the word of God, to lead people to find their desire and satisfaction in Christ alone?

Ezekiel 22:30 says that God found no one to stand in the gap, and therefore, God pours out His wrath on the people. Ezekiel 22:31 says, “Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord GOD.” 

In conclusion, the most extraordinary person who stood in the gap for the entire world is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen! Jesus came because, ultimately, the people were all under the full wrath of God and, by their can works, cannot fulfill the law or the prophets and cannot live the perfect life that was required by the righteous God. 

Jesus did, and He did it for us by standing in the gap. As He hung on the cross, He prayed, saying in Luke 23:34, “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they’re doing.

” Not only that, but He continues to intercede for us before God Almighty {Hebrews 7:25}, says, “Consequently, he can save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them.” See herein {James 4:8} draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

There is a great judgment coming on those who continue in their sins even after being warned of their ways. Humble yourself before Christ, repent of your sins, and love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Finally, love His people, stand in the gap, and proclaim the truth of His word, declaring the gospel of God and shining His light amongst the nations.

In the New Testament, we are told to pray for others {1 Timothy 2:1}. In God’s wisdom and sovereignty, He has chosen to use the prayers of people to accomplish His will. He still seeks those who will stand in the gap for friends and family, for people groups and nations. Like Abraham and Moses, we should be willing to stand in the gap, asking God to spare and to save.

Stand in the gap for your wife, husband, family, country, continent, and the world at rage: God bless you.