Then I will make you into a great nation.’ But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. The original story of Moses standing in the gap is found in Exodus 32:9–14: “‘I have seen these people,’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘and they are a stiff-necked people. Moses had been chosen for that very purpose. In standing in the gap, he “stepped between the LORD and the people” (Psalm 106:23, NLT). Verse 23 explains, “So said he would destroy them-had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.” Moses “stood in the gap” and saved the people of Israel with his petition on their behalf. This psalm summarizes the sins of Israel in the wilderness, primarily concerning the golden calf. Similar wording is found in Psalm 106:23. Since no one was available or willing to defend the breach and rebuild the wall, judgment fell. It seems that, if someone had been willing to “stand in the gap,” the destruction of Jerusalem could have been avoided. Was there no one who would, in righteousness, intercede on behalf of the city and seek God’s mercy? God searched for such a defender, but He could find none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.” The “gap” here represents the danger facing Jerusalem: God’s wrath is about to break through in judgment on the sinful city. 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. As punishment for Israel’s sins, God says He will disperse them among the nations. If a breach was left unattended or unrepaired, the city would fall.Įzekiel 22 summarizes the sins and abuses of the nation. The gap would need to be repaired as soon as possible. If there was a breach in the wall, defenders would have to swarm to that location and hold the breach. A breach in the wall would let the enemy through. A wall was the best means of protection in ancient times. 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.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |