30"I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
31So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord." - P135
The Lord compares Israel to dross in a furnace and says He will gather themin His wrath and melt them down. The land is full of conspiracy, oppression,
and violence. Prophets see false visions, priests violate the law, and leadersdevour people. The Lord looks for someone to stand in the gap but finds noone, so judgment will come soon. - P135
Once God’s treasured possession, Israel is now nothing more than dross, the residue left from purifying silver in a fiery furnace. As Babylon’s army invades the land, the people flee to the walled city of Jerusalem for safety. But their faith is misplaced: Jerusalem is, at this time, the furnace of God’s judgment. - P136
So many things this world considers safe and secure are, in reality, nothing more than sandcastles on the seashore. As the tide of sin’s consequences rises, they are swept away. - P136
As Christians, we are called to seek refuge in our Lord and build our lives on the firm foundation of His teachings and life. Doing so will not exempt us from hardships, but it will give us the courage and faith we need in distressing times. - P136
Once again, God exposes the root of the rot in the nation. He calls it aconspiracy: The nation‘s leaders are creating chaos through unjust rule. Goddescribes it as gaps or weak places in the supposedly secure city walls. Thereligious leaders cover up the flimsy walls with whitewash. Deception is theorder of the day. - P136
Courageous souls are needed to take a stand against thegodlessness in the land, but no one can be found because it is easier to letevil run rampant and eventually come to see it as normal than to confrontit. As those called to be light, we are to "have nothing to do with the fruit-less deeds of darkness, but rather expose them" (Eph. 5:11). - P136
"God seeks someone to intercede with him on behalf of his sinful people today."
-D. A. Carson - P136
Lord, I want to help establish Your rule and kingdom in this world. May my life serve as a witness of Your transforming and saving power so that others may know the salvation You freely offer. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P137
|