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14th September 2024
SaturdayReflection
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"Kalon Mitchell shares"
The Church of the Eternal God Lead Writer
"What does it mean in Ezekiel
22:30 where it says that no
man was found to stand
in the gap?"
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Some have used this Scripture to say that there is no strong leadership in the church(es) at this time.
This is an interesting approach to take as it leaves no room for the leadership of Jesus.
Many Scriptures point out that Jesus is the Head of the Church
As with many parts of the Bible, we must look before and ahead of a particular passage to get the full picture of what a Scripture is saying.
This chapter in Ezekiel is highlighting the sins of "Jerusalem."
The sins listed here are varied and wide-ranging, and God says He is very displeased.
He is really talking about the house of Israel.
Continuing on, we see that God is angry with the so-called leaders, the "princes" of these nations, but even more so with the spiritual leaders, the "prophets".
They continually lead with false motives and in turn show the "people of the land" that it is ok to live like this.
And so, God asks:
I looked for someone who could build a wall, who could stand in the places where the walls have crumbled and defend the land when my anger is about to destroy it, but I could find no one. So I will turn my anger loose on them, and like a fire I will destroy them for what they have done." (GNT)
The word "wall" has different connotations, and another word that is similarly used is "hedge."
The other interesting word is the word "gap" and similarly, the word "breach" can be used.
In the Old Testament, walls were built around cities to protect them and give them safety.
It is interesting how many times walls are mentioned in the Bible.
Of course, we can think of the city of Jericho whose inhabitants felt safe because of the strength of their walls.
In many places God is using this analogy of walls to show the lack of strength walls can have; especially, when there is sin.
In Deuteronomy 28 verses 15-68 is dealing with the consequences of disobedience to God's laws.
We read:
They will attack every town in the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and the high, fortified walls in which you trust will fall. (v52)
Very early on, God warns us that the things in which we place trust and confidence are nothing more than physical and even if they seem strong, like walls, they will be destroyed if they are in opposition to God's laws and commands.
The "breach" or the "gap" is massive.
It is so big that it gets to a point where it is impossible to fix.
When turning to Ezekiel 13 verses 3-5 specifically point out that none of the people who claim to be spiritual leaders have gone up and stood in the gap or the breach in the wall - the wall of Truth that should stand around God's peoples and His nations.
There is a history of people who have stood in the gap, in the breach.
These individuals are the spiritual "giants" in the Bible, who, while human and who did sin from time to time, were willing to live God's Way of Life.
They were willing to suffer. They were willing to allow God to lead them.
God has not changed in that desire, and desires such a people, today!
You and I have been called at this time to stand in the gap for God's Way.
Will we be faithful?
Let us pray for one another for the strength and the power, not to let down at this critical time in history; but to be a light in this world of darkness as Satan and his demons are taking every opportunity to see that we fail in this wonderful calling we have received from Almighty God.
In Matthew 19:27 Peter tells Jesus, "See, we have left ALL and followed you."
What are we willing to give up so that we may stand as the people of God at the close of this age?
Each of us is responsible for standing up.
And those opportunities will come for each one of us.
As individuals, we each have different opportunities and qualities.
But it is when we stand together that we make the whole even stronger.
Our job now is to very strongly proclaim the Truth and to stand up for this Way of Life, all the while looking for and following the lead of Jesus so He can use us as He sees fit in this end time and the terrible events which we are facing.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
'The Church of the Eternal God'
(in the United States - with its operations in Europe,)
coexist to fulfill the Work given to the Church that Jesus sustains.
It is through the fruit of unity in God's Holy Spirit that we strive to be of one mind in both purpose and practice.
In fulfilling the commission Jesus has given to His Church, we maintain websites for access to our published materials;
to present Church messages to publicly proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God
Kalon Mitchell The Church of the Eternal God Lead Writer
Contact the Rector
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