Standing In The Gap

Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)
30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall,

and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I
should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Ezekiel 22:23-31 (NKJV)
23 And the word of the LORD came to me,

saying, 24 "Son of man, say to her: 'You are a
land that is not cleansed or rained on in the
day of indignation.' 25 The conspiracy of her
prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion
tearing the prey; they have devoured people;
they have taken treasure and precious things;
they have made many widows in her midst.

26 Herpriests have violated My law and profaned
My holy things; they have not distinguished
between the holy and unholy, nor have they
made known the difference between the unclean
and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes
from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among
them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves
tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy
people, and to get dishonest gain.

28 Her prophets plastered them with

untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and
divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the
Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken.
29 The people of the land have used

oppressions, committed robbery, and
mistreated the poor and needy; and they
wrongfully oppress the stranger.

30 So I sought for a man among them who

would make a wall, and stand in the gap
before Me on behalf of the land, that I should
not destroy it; but I found no one. 31
Therefore I have poured out My indignation
on them; I have consumed them with the fire
of My wrath; and I have recompensed their
deeds on their own heads," says the Lord
GOD.

The Prophets - conspired to
speak lies for money thus
destroying the people through
their pseudo visions – vs. 25,28
The Priest - violated the Law and
failed to discriminate between
the holy and common – vs. 26
The Rulers - were unjust, killing,
stealing and taking advantage of
the people for “dishonest gain” –
vs. 27
The people - oppressed the poor,
needy and strangers – vs. 29

God Sought A Man
To build a wall and stand before
Him on behalf of the land, that
He might not destroy it - (Ezk
22:30).
The word “gap” refers to a
breach in a wall of protection -
(Ps 80:12, Isa 5:2-6, Ps 89:40).
Several passages in the Old
Testament reveal that broken
walls lead to destruction unless
someone stands in the gap -
(Ezk 13:5, Ps 106:23).

God Sought A Man
 Unfortunately, during
the time of Ezekiel, God
found no one; (cf. Is.
59:16; 63:5; Jer. 5:1)
 Therefore, He poured
out His wrath upon the
people and consumed
them - (Ezk 22:31).

Intercession
Abraham – (Gen. 18:23-32)
Moses – (Ex. 32:10-14; Psalm
106:23)
Moses & Aaron – [Rebellion of
Korah, Dathan, Abiram and
On] - (Nu 16:21,22)
Samuel – [Address to the
people at Saul’s coronation] -
(1 Sam. 12:23)
Jesus – (Is. 53:12; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1
Pet. 4:1; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25)

Defender
Phinehas – (Num. 25:6-9)
Aaron – (Numbers 16:46-48)
David – (1 Sam. 17:26,32-51)
Josiah – (2 Kings 23:3-25)
2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
2 Preachthe word! Be ready in
season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with
all longsuffering and teaching.

Defender
Phinehas – (Num. 25:6-9)
Aaron – (Numbers 16:46-48)
David – (1 Sam. 17:26,32-51)
Josiah – (2 Kings 23:3-25)

Jude 1:3 (NKJV)
3 Beloved, . . . I found it necessary
to write to you exhorting you to
contend earnestly for the faith
which was once for all delivered to
the saints.

Acts 20:28-32 (NK JV)
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the

flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made
you overseers, to shepherd the church of God
which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I
know this, that after my departure savage
wolves will come in among you, not sparing the
flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will
rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away
the disciples after themselves.

Acts 20:28-32 (NKJV)
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for
three years I did not cease to warn
everyone night and day with tears. 32 So
now, brethren, I commend you to God
and to the word of His grace, which is
able to build you up and give you an
inheritance among all those who are
sanctified.

 As God’s people, we
Ezekiel 13:5 have enemies who wish
(NKJV) to destroy us -
5 You have not gone
 Walls (truth, faith,
up into the gaps to hope, love), need to be
build a wall for the built for protection
house of Israel to against our enemies –
stand in battle on
the day of the  There may be gaps or
LORD. vulnerable spots in the
defenses that need
protected –

 Homosexuality;
adultery; divorce;
husbands & wives not
fulfilling their roles;
rebellious children; lack
of discipline . . .
(1 Cor. 6:9-11; Mat. 5:31,32; 19:1-
9; 1 Cor. 7:1-11; Eph. 5:22-25,33;
Eph. 6:1-4; Prov. 23:13,14)

 Preachers & Elders
 Husbands & Wives
 Fathers & Mothers
 Sons & Daughters
Each & Every
One of Us

 Atheism – Ps. 14:1
 Humanism – Ro. 1:21-25
 Modernism – Gal. 1:7-9
 Relativism – Rom 3:8
 Emotionalism – Prov. 14:12
 Denominationalism – Mat
15:7-9; 1 Cor. 1:10-13

 Elders – Acts. 20:32;
 Preachers – 2 Tim 4:2
 Teachers – 1 Pet 4:11
Romans 3:1-4 (NKJV)
2 . . . to them were committed the

oracles of God. 3 For what if some did
not believe? Will their unbelief make
the faithfulness of God without effect? 4
Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true
but every man a liar.

 False teachers – 2 Pet 2:1
 Worldliness –
[immorality; pride;
selfishness; carnality;
confusion] 1 Jn 2:15-17;
Jam. 3:13-4:6; 1 Cor. 1-3)
 Materialism – Mat 13:22
 Apathy – Rev. 3:14-19

 Elders – Acts. 20:28-32;
Heb 13:17
 Preachers – Col. 1:28; 1
Tim. 1:18; 4:13-16; 2 Tim.
4:2-4; Jude 3
 Teachers – 1 Pet 4:11
 Each & Every One of Us
– Eph. 4:15; 1 Pet 3:15

Before we can build a
wall and stand in the
gap between those
threatening the home,
the Bible and the
church, we must first
tend to ourselves.

 Fathers & mothers need
to be holy and godly -
 We must study and
learn our Bible -
 We must put away
hatred, pride,
selfishness, worldliness,
jealousies and apathy.

 The church, the family and the
world need valiant men and
women who will build a wall
and stand in the gap between
Satan and God’s people.
 Let us determine to rid our
lives of sin so we can shield
those precious to us from
destruction.
 Today, God seeks for those
who will build a wall and
stand in the gap.
 Make sure God finds you!

Charts by Don McClain
Prepared January 19-22, 2011
Preached January 23, 2011
West 65th Street church of Christ
P.O. Box 190062
Little Rock AR 72219
501-568-1062
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Email – donmcclain@sbcglobal.net
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Standing In The Gap

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Standing In The Gap