No Man Among Them
" 'I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one. Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,' declares the Lord God." (Ezekial 22:30-31)
In the time of Ezekial the prophet, God brought much judgement on the nation of Israel. He spoke through Ezekial and called Jerusalem and Samaria whores who poured out harlotry on surrounding nations with their idols. He made the point of saying that no man could be found who was righteous enough to stand between Him and these sinners that He might transfer His wrath away from them. This text spoke to me as a beautiful picture of what man could not be, but what Jesus was and is. No righteous man was found, but Jesus came years later and did stand in the gap so that God would not destroy us, His people. If not for Jesus, we would be consumed by the fire of God's wrath and God would bring our way upon our own heads. By divine mercy, our way was brought on the head of Christ as He hung on the cross and died. Thanks be to God for His mercy toward us, such vile sinners.
Oh, that Jesus has come! Oh, that He became a man and stands in the gap between us and a Holy, righteous, just God! Oh, that we are not consumed by the fire of God's wrath because Jesus took it on the cross!
This also brings to mind the Westminster Catechism question (# 25) my son is learning right now in homeschool. "How does Christ execute the office of a priest?" What a glorious answer..."Christ executes the office of a priest in the offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us."
Yes! Christ, as our priest, satisfied divine justice! He removed the wrath and condemnation that were rightfully ours. He is the Godman who came when no man could be found among them. Thanks be to Christ! Glory be to God!
In the time of Ezekial the prophet, God brought much judgement on the nation of Israel. He spoke through Ezekial and called Jerusalem and Samaria whores who poured out harlotry on surrounding nations with their idols. He made the point of saying that no man could be found who was righteous enough to stand between Him and these sinners that He might transfer His wrath away from them. This text spoke to me as a beautiful picture of what man could not be, but what Jesus was and is. No righteous man was found, but Jesus came years later and did stand in the gap so that God would not destroy us, His people. If not for Jesus, we would be consumed by the fire of God's wrath and God would bring our way upon our own heads. By divine mercy, our way was brought on the head of Christ as He hung on the cross and died. Thanks be to God for His mercy toward us, such vile sinners.
Oh, that Jesus has come! Oh, that He became a man and stands in the gap between us and a Holy, righteous, just God! Oh, that we are not consumed by the fire of God's wrath because Jesus took it on the cross!
This also brings to mind the Westminster Catechism question (# 25) my son is learning right now in homeschool. "How does Christ execute the office of a priest?" What a glorious answer..."Christ executes the office of a priest in the offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us."
Yes! Christ, as our priest, satisfied divine justice! He removed the wrath and condemnation that were rightfully ours. He is the Godman who came when no man could be found among them. Thanks be to Christ! Glory be to God!
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