Day 245 – Ezekiel 21-22

Talking Points

• To profane means “to desecrate, pollute, or make common.”
• God is angered because the leaders, and then the people have mixed “the holy and the profane” (Ezekiel 22:26). They have taken what is evil, wicked, and sinful and mixed it with what was dedicated to God. God says that in those acts, He is profaned. We have to remember the name that we carry. When we carry the name of Christ and choose to sin, we slander and profane His holy name. It is not just our reputation we must consider, but that of Christ. We are to be set apart for Him.
• There is a listing of despicable sins which marked God’s people. Included is the lack of respect for parents and the lack of discipline in the home (22:7). It’s clear the moral and spiritual decline of a culture follows the breakdown of the home. In the New Testament, the “difficult times” of the sinful last days will also include the breakdown of the home (2 Timothy 3:1-2). As the home goes, so goes the culture.

Thoughts

In a world set against God, a world where His commands were mocked and ignored, and a world where His great name was made common, if not laughable, God looked for someone to “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30). The picture given is of a wall that has been broken down. Where it once stood in strength, offering protection, now holes of disrepair are laid bare. In these breaches, God looked for a person who would stand, a person willing to be used, a person to uphold His name.

And, the sad part is the Bible says He “found no one” (22:30). Not even one.

Today, we exist in an eerily similar situation. Our world is clearly set against God. His commands are mocked, belittled, and cast aside. Once again, His great name has become common, watered down and mixed with the wickedness of our day. And, once again, God is calling for people to stand in the gap.

What an opportunity! What a privilege! Those of us who know Him, love His truth, and are filled with His Spirit can stand, leading others to the safety of our Savior. May it never be said of such a blessed people, “but I found no one” (22:30). In light of our great Savior, what else would we do?