“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” [Ezekiel 22.30-31]
As much as I like the gleaned 'commission' part of this passage, the overwhelming context of it is negative. At whatever point God finds no one interceding, massive destruction is unleashed.
What follows the passage above is perhaps the most graphic illustration found in the entire Bible - the comparison of Samaria and Jerusalem to two sexually and grossly degenerate sisters: Ezekiel 23.
The point is, when people stop praying, there are no boundaries to the extent to which sin will take humanity. Back in the 1960's, prayer was effectively removed from public schools in the USA. Is the sexual depravity we are witnessing in this country today any wonder?
I think it was no mistake that Ezekiel used such a graphic illustration of Israel's departure from God. Sexual deviance is a timeless indicator of prayerlessness. It is found in the Bible even as far back as Genesis. The description of Oholah's and Oholibah's lewdness provides readers a litmus test of their own spiritual condition: does the description inspire lustful thoughts or a call to prayer?
Based on today's OYCB reading, we, in the USA, do not have much to look forward to if we consider our present moral condition. The moral depravity seen now has no happy ending. It never has, and never will.
Where are the intercessors?
Father, I wish I could deny any unholy thoughts when reading about Oholah and Oholibah. My deceitful heart does not want me to reveal its secrets. But I do so here and now, and so, I confess my sin and ask for Your forgiveness. By the power of Your Holy Spirit sent by Jesus at my turning to Him, overcome the wickedness of my heart so that I might be a true intercessor!
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