In Chapter 22, we learn why judgment would be placed on Jerusalem (22:2-16), how it would approach them (22:17-22), and who would be affected by it (22:23-31). The Jewish leaders were particularly liable for the ethical environment of the country since God had picked them to lead. Those actions and sins that occurred back then seem remarkably similar to what is happening in society today (James 3:1). We are living in a period of extraordinary assaults by Satan. It is critical that we maintain in prayers for our leaders, and it is fundamental for the leaders to take responsibility to assist the people with keeping their spiritual and moral integrity.
Valuable metals are refined with extreme heat to expel the impurities. When heated, the impurities (dross) ascend to the top of the liquid metal and is skimmed off and discarded. The reason for the attack of Jerusalem was to refine the individuals, however the refining procedure indicated that the individuals, as useless dross, had no good thing in them.
The leaders (priests), those whom God chose, were to keep God’s worship pure and to teach right living. Unfortunately, they had ignored the Sabbath and caused the people to put God in an uninspired position in everyone’s life. They discontinued performing their duties (Leviticus 10:10-11; Ezekiel 44:23). While we are accomplishing God's work, and it turns into a not so more significant than any commonplace assignment, that is showing that we have discontinued giving God the worship that he merits. Rather than bringing God down to where we are, we should be lifting our hearts and our lives up to where God is.
The hedge was not necessarily a physical wall, but rather it was faithful people united to resist evil. The hedge had become broken and crumbling because there was not anyone who could guide the people back to God. The weak endeavors to fix it, through strict customs, religious rituals, or messages in view of assessment rather than God's Word, were just about as futile as whitewash (“untempered mortar”), or a band-aid which just conceals issues instead of getting to the cause of the problem. What the Jewish nation required was an all-out rebuilding of their spiritual lives.
At the point when we give the expression of cherishing God without living in his manner, we are concealing our transgressions which could ultimately harm our lives farther than can be repaired. We ought not involve religion as a whitewash. We really need to fix our day-to-day routines by living out the standards of God's Word. Then, at that point, we can unite with others to “stand in the gap” to have any significant impact for God in this world (Psalm 106:23; Ezekiel 13:5).
So, what does it mean to stand in the gap?
The online free dictionary gives the meaning of the phrase “stand in the gap” as to uncover oneself for the security of something or someone; to make protection against any attacking risk; or to replace a fallen safeguard or ally. It can also be looked at as to mediate between two groups, to forge a connection, to fill a void, to step up, or to take the initiative.
Who in the Bible has stood in the gap?
There were many who stood in the gap for others.
We see that Moses stood in the gap for the people of Israel against a pharaoh (Exodus 7).
David stood in the gap against a giant (1 Samuel 17).
Nehemiah stood in the gap because there was work to be done.
Esther stood in the gap for a nation.
But most importantly, Jesus stood in the gap to save the world (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19).
How can we stand in the gap?
We can “stand in the gap” through intercessory prayer for others.
• 1 Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
• Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
We can “stand in the gap” by working somehow for the Lord.
• 1 Corinthians 3:9, “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.”
• 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
We can “stand in the gap” by being a witness that the Lord can use.
• Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
• Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in al Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
We can “stand in the gap” by preaching God’s Word to a lost and dying world.
• Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:21, “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”
We can “stand in the gap” by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Psalms 96:3, “Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.”
• Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Those items listed above are just a few areas where Christians can “stand in the gap.” This does not mean that a person is going to a store (The Gap) to buy clothes or other articles for someone else. To “stand in the gap” is someone who is willing to get on their knees and pray or do whatever else needs to be done to show God’s mercy, love, and kindness to others. It may be that we are to be the ones to “stand in the gap” because we are able and that no one else will. We do not “stand in the gap” just so that we can get something out of it. However, it may be that our lives will be changed as well as the ones that we are helping.
