One Godly Man

Wanted: One Godly Man

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)

Three military recruiters were invited to speak to a senior class. Graduation was a few months away.  The assembly was 45 minutes and each recruiter was given 15 minutes. The Army recruiter went first and got excited and spoke for 20 minutes.  The Navy was not to be put down by the Army and he spoke for 20 minutes.  The Marine recruiters’ time was cut from 15 to 5 minutes. He walked up in silence for sixty seconds.  Looked over the crowd and sized them up.  After what seemed an eternity said, “I doubt whether there are two or three of you in this room who could cut it as Marines. I want to see those three men in the cafeteria as soon as this assembly is dismissed.  A herd mobbed the Marine in the cafeteria.  For years, the Marines have been known as looking for a few good men. 

In Ezekiel 22:30 God is looking for one godly man. During this time leaders, princes, priests, and prophets were supposed to be standing in the gap between the people and God. God sought a man “among them.” This was someone who would take ownership for their people.

Reflection

Pastor Jim taught in the sermon that God is still looking for men who will take ownership of their nation, state, city, school, office, and home. Who have been some men that you have known who have risen to the occasion on behalf of others for God?

Praise/Prayer

 Praise God for the godly men who have stepped up in your life and accepted the responsibility to be spiritual leaders. Pray that God would raise up more godly men in our Second family.

One Godly Man to Build the Wall

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)

The Great Wall of China is the largest wall ever built. It took 1800 years to build from 220 BC until sometime during the Ming dynasty in the 1600s. When it was completed, it was 6000 miles long. At one point, 800,000 people were working on that wall day and night. Some people spent their entire lives working on it. Not only did the wall keep the enemies of China from attacking. The wall also stands as a great symbol of what can be accomplished when people work together.

In Ezekiel 22:30 God is looking for a man to help build a spiritual wall for Israel. The image of the wall connects back with the false and weak wall of the false prophets just a few verses before this (Ezekiel 22:28). The false prophets built with untempered mortar. A great breach had come in their relationship with God. Sin makes a gap in the hedge of protection that is about a people at which good things run out from them and evil things pour in upon them. God looked for a man to bring spiritual strength, stability, and security to Israel.

Reflection

A wall can keep bad things out and good things in. What are some of the bad things God wants men to protect our families from? What are some of the good things God wants our men to defend and protect in our homes?

Praise/Prayer

Praise God for the men who have protected you and your family. Pray that God would make it clear what we should fight against and what we should fight for.

One Godly Man to Stand in the Gap

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)

Standing in the gap pictures ancient soldiers who would be defending a city from attack. In ancient times cities would have walls built around them. So when an enemy came they would have to besiege the city. They would surround the city and begin pelting the walls. Eventually, over weeks and months, holes would form in the walls, gaps would form, and a soldier or group of soldiers would stand in the gap in the walls to drive back enemy troops who would attack the breach to try to take control of the city.

God looked for one who would, through prayer, stand in the gap between a holy God and His disobedient, rebellious, profane people. This man in the gap would fight for and hopefully rescue God’s people in prayer. The man God sought was not only a builder but just as importantly a man of prayer.

Reflection

Intercessory prayer is when you pray on behalf of others. Who have been the intercessors in your life that have stood in the gap and prayed for you? Who do you know that would benefit from you standing in the gap and praying for them?

Praise/Prayer

Thank God for those who have stood in the gap and prayed for you. Take time now to pray from the people you listed above who would benefit from your prayers.

One Godly Man to Stop Destruction 

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)

Certain Native American tribes had a rite of passage for their teenage boys. At age 13 a boy would be blindfolded and led to a certain spot in the woods. He would be forced to sit down while the men of the tribe returned to their camp. The boy would be required to sit all night with his blindfold in place. He was forced to listen to the frightening sounds of the night. Once he felt the warmth of the sun as it rose in the east, he was allowed to remove his blindfold. The first thing he saw when he removed it was his father sitting across from him. The boy’s father would sit with him all night, protecting him from the animals of the wilderness, yet he was not seen by his son.

God was looking for someone willing and able to spiritually watch over and protect the nation of Israel. “With the entire nation so given over to every displeasing act, and no one to intervene for them, judgment alone remained for them. So sure was this visitation that Ezekiel thrice expressed it as having already occurred.” (Feinberg) Pastor Jim talked about the spiritual role of men today in protecting our families and our society.

Reflection

Where have you seen spiritual erosion in our nation? Where have you seen spiritual erosion in your own life or the life of your family?

Praise/Prayer

Jesus taught that Satan wants to destroy our lives and families. He also taught that He came to give us abundant life. Praise Jesus for rebuilding what Satan came to destroy. Ask God to show you where He wants you to serve as a spiritual protector.

One Godly Man

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. – Ezekiel 22:30 (ESV)

The teacher of the earth science class was lecturing on map reading. After explaining about latitude, longitude, degrees and minutes the teacher asked, “Suppose I asked you to meet me for lunch at 23 degrees, 4 minutes north latitude and 45 degrees, 15 minutes east longitude . . .?” After a confused silence, a voice volunteered, “I guess you’d be eating alone.”

When God went looking for a godly man in Ezekiel 22, no one showed up. The problem isn’t that God doesn’t want such people or has not called them. If there is a problem, it is because God seeks and finds none. He found no one with the character or wisdom or real relationship with God to build such strength, stability, and security among His people.

Fortunately, God did find a Man to stand in the gap. This is a powerful description of Jesus and His work for His people. He is the wall of strength, stability, and security for God’s people. He is the one who ever lives to pray for His people. God found no one in Ezekiel’s day, but in Jesus Christ has provided this ultimate wall-builder and Man in the gap.

Reflection

What most encouraged you from Pastor Jim’s sermon? What is one thing from the sermon God challenged you to do differently? Have you started to make that change?

Praise/Prayer

 Thank Jesus for standing in the gap for you on the cross. Ask God to give you the strength to make the changes necessary to stand in the gap for your family and community.