I have been reading the book of Ezekiel, and when I got to chapter 22 this week, I was prompted to focus on verse 30: "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" (NIV). I have read this scripture severally in the past, but this time round, I noticed a phrase that I had overlooked before: "...who would build up the wall...." This phrase brought new understanding on the meaning of standing in the gap. King James version states, "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none," whereas the Good News Translation bible states, "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."
According to the NIV commentary, the book of Ezekiel was written approximately 571 BC to the Jews in captivity in Babylonia, and God's people everywhere. The purpose of the book was to announce God's judgement on Israel and other nations and to foretell the eventual salvation of God's people. The theme of 22nd chapter of Ezekiel is Jerusalem's sins. The city is described as "a city of blood-shed" and "...defiles herself by making idols". In that city, people were treated with contempt; aliens, fatherless and widows were oppressed. The holy things of God were despised and Sabbaths were desecrated. Immorality was rife: lewd acts were committed in mountain shrines; some dishonored their father's beds; women in their period were violated; men had sexual affairs with their neighbors' wives; men would defile their daughters-in-laws; some would sexually violate their sisters; usury, unjust gain and extortion was an acceptable practice. It is because of Jerusalem's sins and failure to repent that its city fell and its people were taken into exile in Babylon.
Relentlessly, God reached out to the Israelites to repent and avert His wrath, to no avail. In addition, God looked for a man (note the singular noun) who would build up the wall and stand in the places where the walls have crumbled and defend the land against His wrath, but finds none. God was looking for just one faithful man in Jerusalem who was willing to stand up and resist evil, but found none! We live in a world that is highly perverted by similar sins as those that were committed in Jerusalem prior to its fall. The righteous can no longer sit in complacency and be passive about the world's evils. We must arise in the power of the Holy Spirit to uproot, tear down, destroy and overthrow the works of the kingdom of darkness; we must be vigilant to build and plant God's Kingdom agenda (Jeremiah 1:10).
Jeremiah 1:17-19 is a profound promise to those who wish to stand up for God in a corrupted world: "Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. God is counting upon believers, you and I, to build the walls of our cities, towns, villages, communities and families. God has given us the ability to accomplish His purpose in our areas of influence. In addition, He assures to be with us. Will you choose to respond to God's call of building the wall or will you choose to remain passive, and watch God's judgement befall your city, town, village, community and family?
The "walls" of our society are deemed "secular" and are ignored by many believers because of their misunderstanding that only the work we do at church is ministry. This is Satan's lie that prevents believers from fulfilling God's purpose in their areas of influence: careers, businesses, politics, education, entertainment, sports and arts. Nehemiah was called to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem, and his assignment was not inferior to that of Ezra who was called to serve in the temple. Nehemiah was informed that there was a problem in Jerusalem: The city walls were broken and its gates burned with fire. Beyond feeling distressed, Nehemiah chose to take practical action:
- He fasted and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
- He mobilized the resources he needed to accomplish the work (Nehemiah 2:1-9)
- He surveyed the assignment and prepared for the work (Nehemiah 2:11-20)
- He was involved in leading the team to build the wall (Nehemiah 3)
- He stood his ground amidst much opposition, provided leadership during this period and encouraged his team to focus on the work (Nehemiah 4-6)
Nehemiah 6:15 is one of the climax moments of the book and it states, "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days." God is calling Christians to arise and fulfill His purposes in their generation. We can no longer wine and grumble about ungodly political practices; increasing immorality, bribery, tribalism; devastating pollution on our environment; poor water resource management; insecurity; recurring food shortages etc. Just as Nehemiah took action to build the walls of Jerusalem, believers must respond with dedication, selflessness and humility to the call of God upon their lives. It will cost us to obey God- some will need to live their prestigious positions and titles like Nehemiah did when he left the Persian government in order to do what God wanted; some will need to commit their time, money and efforts to the course of Christ; while some will need to simply leave their comfort zones and walk/speak against societal norms.
You and I are called to restore broken walls. I am guilty of often burying my head in the sand and ignoring societal issues. God called Joseph to avert a serious food crisis in Egypt and consequently preserved the nation of Israel. God called Moses to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. God called Joshua to conquer the promised land of Canaan and settle the children of Israel. God called David to serve as King in Israel. God called Esther and Mordecai to occupy positions of influence in the Persian kingdom for advancement of His Kingdom and preservation of the Jews. God called young Hebrew boys-Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego- to rule in Babylon and demonstrate God's power and might to a people who did not know him. These people were not priests, but they responded to God's call and faithfully served where He planted them. For example, a testimony is given about David's service to God in his generation (Acts 13:36).
Today, God is calling you and I to His purposes. For some of us it will be a call to serve at the temple; for others, it will be a call to serve at the city gates and wall. As the Lord of the Harvest allocates us work in His vineyard, may our utmost desire be to obey His call, considering that it is a great privilege and honor to serve God!
