“Stand in the Gap”

Ezekiel 22:23-31

Introduction

1.       There are statements in the OT that stand out as challenges from God’s prophets to God’s people

a.       Amos 6:1 – “Woe to those who are at ease in Zion ”

b.       Malachi 3:8 – “Will a man rob God?”

c.       Jer 6:16 – “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it and you will find rest for you souls”

d.       Josh 24:15 – “Choose this day whom you will serve”

2.  Today, we will consider such a statement from the prophet, Ezekiel  - “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land”  

Discussion

1.       Why did God seek a man to stand in the gap?

a.       The prophets had failed – vss 25 and 28

b.       The priests had failed – vs 26

c.       The princes had failed – vs 27 – see Jer 36 (King Jehoiakim)

d.       The people had failed – vs 29

e.       Those who should have made a difference were part of the problem

f.        God had demonstrated in choosing Deborah that he would use a woman when the men had failed  

2.       What sort of man did God seek to stand in the gap?

a.       A man who is humble

                                                            i.      Like Moses – Num 12:3

                                                           ii.      Like Saul when he was chosen king – 1 Sam 15:17

                                                         iii.      Like David – a man after God’s own heart – 1 Sam 13:14

                                                         iv.      Like Jesus – Matt 11:28-30  

b.       A man who has convictions

c.       A man who understands the need to rely upon God  

3.       What must a man do in order to stand in the gap?

a.       He must “build up the wall” and he must “stand”

b.       He must put God’s concerns before personal matters – Matt 6:33

c.       He is a volunteer, not a conscript because his life may be at stake – Matt 16:24-25

d.       He must continue until there is no longer a need or he can be replaced by another – 2 Tim 4:7

e.       He must inspire others to join him in the battle – Tit 1:5  

Conclusion

1.       No one person can fill all the gaps, but one person can fill a gap

2.       If you are not filling a gap, then you are a soldier on leave; you have left the fight to others

3.       God does not ask you to spend an hour a week in worship; that is not what it means to be born again – 2 Cor 5:17

4.       If you have forgotten your calling, God calls again for you to “Stand in the Gap”

5.       If you have never volunteered for service in the Lord’s army, He calls you to “stand in the gap”