Main Idea: God’s people should reflect Him in their ways.
A Look at the Text:
The people of Judah were as guilty as could be.
The land was full of bloodshed and idolatry (Ezek. 22:3-4). Fathers and mothers were dishonored, the sojourner was taken advantage of, and orphans and widows were wronged (Ezek. 22:7). The people were guilty of sexual sin and extortion because they forgot their God (Ezek. 22:10-12).
As such, rather than a pure people, they were the dross of silver, and God would burn the uncleanness out of them (Ezek. 22:15-22).
They were a wayward people, and they were led astray by godless leadership.
The priests did violence to the law, not teaching the difference between the holy and the common, or the unclean and the clean (Ezek. 22:26). Their political leaders took advantage of the people (Ezek. 22:27). Then, perhaps worst of all, the prophets whitewashed all of this and pretended that everything was fine (Ezek. 22:28).
No one was standing in the gap, interceding for the people (Ezek. 22:30), and as a result, they would have their evil ways returned upon their own heads (Ezek. 22:31).
Bringing it Home:
The people of God were to be a light to the world and a representation of what God was like, and yet tragically they became a source of darkness. Instead of an example, they had become a reproach (Ezek. 22:4-5). Rather than showing others what to do, they ended up showing them what not to do.
Under the New Covenant, the Lord Jesus called His disciples “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). The Christ-follower is supposed to point others to God by means of their life. To be a picture of the gracious and holy God who has saved them.
Just as God called Israel to be holy as He is holy, so He has called the church (1 Pet. 1:15). Holiness requires separateness. It requires distinctiveness.
Thankfully, our standing before God doesn’t depend upon our holiness, but upon the perfect righteousness of Christ, the One who has forever stood in the gap, interceding for us (Heb. 7:25). Yet that does not mean that we should not strive for holiness (Heb. 12:14). That does not mean that God doesn’t care how His people live. As the apostle Peter once charged believers to “Make every effort” to add Christian virtues to their faith (2 Pet. 1:5-11).
How might the world be different if the church took its role as the light of the world more seriously?
Challenge:
Do I think salvation by grace makes my personal godliness unimportant?
"No one was standing in the gap." That'll preach!