Read the Book: Summer Bible PlanSample

EZEKIEL 22 - THE ONE RIGHTEOUS

This chapter reminded me of a combination of the Ten Commandments on steroids and the repercussions of disobedience upon the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah. Because God, The Eternal One, could not find one righteous man to stand in the gap for the land, He was willing to allow them to feel the wrath of disobedience in the city of Jerusalem. He likened to compare their worthless lives like worthless metals that are placed in furnaces to burn out impurities. The tale of the tap of their sinfulness is horrific: shedding innocent blood, idolatry, perverted politics, domestic abuse, neglecting foreigners, oppressing widows and orphans, not keeping Sabbath sacred, bearing false witness, eating at pagan shrines, prostitution, unfair interest rates, and mocking holy things. 

Similarly in our day the same questions must be asked: “Is there one righteous person that can stand in the gap that has been breached between the justice of God and the exceeding sinfulness of humanity?”

The answer is a glorious “yes!” The perfectly righteous person, Jesus Christ, has come and lived perfection in our place and absorbed His Father’s wrath in our place. Jesus received the judgement that we deserved and we receive the judgement that Jesus deserved. But remember, this good news is only available to those who place their trust in Him and turn from themselves and toward the Living God.

Lord, may we never forget you and who you’ve truly called us to be in you.

Family Connection: We too deserve judgement for our sins. Take time this week to share the Gospel to your family--that we are all sinful people who miss the mark and deserve the consequence of death. But out of God’s loving kindness, when we place our trust in Him, we can be saved.