God’s Judgment on Sin and Desire for Righteousness

Restoration Amidst Ruin: God's Call for Righteousness

Bible Passage: Ezekiel 22:23-31

Summary: In Ezekiel 22:23-31, God condemns the leaders of Israel for their corruption, oppression, and failure to protect the vulnerable. He laments the lack of someone to stand in the gap for the nation, emphasizing the dire consequences of their sinful actions.

Verses 6-12 discuss the sin of Israel and the reason why judgement is coming to them. Earlier in chapter 18 God lists a series of Individual sins that lead up to this list.

Prevention is better than a cure, and sometimes a timely heart-searching may save us many a heart-smarting. The Barley Field On Fire, Volume 10, Sermon #563 - 2 Samuel 14:29-31

Charles Spurgeon

Opening Illustration

I’m currently reading through books on Baptist Church Governance, and read one on the history of Baptist Churches in the South from 1795-1900. One fascinating occurrence from looking at different churches historical records was that every time there was an outbreak of revival within the church, it always occured when the church dealt with sin within the congregation through church discipline.

During the Great Awakening in the 18th century, preachers like Jonathan Edwards emphasized the weighty nature of sin. His sermon "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" vividly painted the reality of sin's consequences. Edwards illustrated how a spider dangling over a fire represents our precarious state before a holy God. This historical sermon serves as a wake-up call, igniting a revival and reminding us that recognizing the seriousness of sin leads to repentance and transformation.

Background

Ezekiel is a prophet in in exile in Babylon. He was a contemporary of Jeremiah and Daniel.

1. Prophets: Protectors or Prosecutors?

Ezekiel 22:23–25 ESV

And the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, say to her, You are a land that is not cleansed or rained upon in the day of indignation. The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured human lives; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst.

23

24 The image of drought is used throughout the Old Testament to show a lack of righteousness. Think of Ruth 1 where Elimelech and Naomi travel to Moab because of famine in Judah, or the myrid of times in Judges where the people fell away from God and then famine or outside oppression came upon them.

25

The term “conspire” is also translated “alliance” and “treason.”

Ezekiel makes much of the shedding of innocent blood, and the injustice of it. He also points to the making of ”many widows,” most likely pointing to the false prophets encouraging war with the Chaldeans.

2. Priests and Politicians: Purveyors of Corruption

Ezekiel 22:26-28

26

“THey did violence” instead of upholding the Law

27

28

Saying “Thus says the LORD when he hasn’t spoken”

3. People’s Potential: Filling the Gap

Ezekiel 22:29-31

29

Total sociatial corruption

30

Reminiscent of Abraham and Sodom, where God said he would relent judgment if there was just one righteous man, and there were none

God’s plan for reaching ungodly people and nations is still the same. He uses godly men and women to stand in the breaches in morality and spirituality and make the difference by calling the nation and individuals to repentance, faith, righteousness, and commitment to God in Christ. - New American Commentary On Ezekiel

31

Application:

This passage serves as a reminder for Christians to recognize and confront injustices within their communities and their people.

This passage points to the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who stands in the gap for humanity by offering salvation and restoration. He fulfills the call for leadership that protects and cares for the marginalized, showcasing God's desire for a just and righteous community.