What does it mean to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30)?

Answer

In Ezekiel 22:30, the Lord says, “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.” The imagery portrayed in this verse is that of a wall with a hole or gap in it. A wall served as the primary means of protection in ancient times. A breach in the wall would allow the enemy to penetrate. Defenders would need to quickly gather at the breach and fortify it. The gap had to be repaired promptly. Neglecting or leaving a breach unrepaired would result in the city’s downfall.

Ezekiel 22 summarizes the sins and transgressions of the nation. As a consequence of Israel’s sins, God declares that He will scatter them among the nations. In verses 30–31, He states, “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. So 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.” The “gap” symbolizes the imminent peril facing Jerusalem: God’s wrath is on the verge of being unleashed in judgment upon the sinful city. Was there no one willing to intercede on behalf of the city in righteousness and seek God’s mercy? God sought such an advocate, but none could be found. It appears that if someone had been willing to “stand in the gap,” the destruction of Jerusalem might have been averted. However, since no one was ready or willing to defend the breach and reconstruct the wall, judgment befell the city.

A similar expression is found in Psalm 106:23. This psalm recounts the transgressions of Israel in the wilderness, particularly regarding the golden calf. Verse 23 elucidates, “So [God] said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them.” Moses stood in the breach, acting as an intercessor to prevent God’s wrath from annihilating the people.

“Stood in the gap” and saved the people of Israel with his petition on their behalf. In standing in the gap, he “stepped between the LORD and the people” «Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, To turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. », (Psalm 106:23, NLT). Moses had been chosen for that very purpose.

The original story of Moses standing in the gap is found in Exodus 32:9–14: “‘I have seen these people,’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.’ But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.”’ Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” To stand in the gap is to intercede and plead for God’s mercy.

In Ezekiel 22:30, God uses language that reminds the people of Moses’ actions centuries before. At Moses’ intercession, God had relented of His wrath in the wilderness. In Ezekiel’s day, there was no Moses. No one interceded for Israel. No one understood the danger God’s people were in. With no intercessor to stand in the gap, the destruction of Israel would be carried out.

To make matters worse, in Ezekiel 13, the falseProphets in Israel were condemned because they had not repaired the breach in the wall. Instead of standing in the gap, they simply denied that judgment was going to come.

Besides Moses, there are several who have had the courage and insight to “stand in the gap” and intercede for others. In Genesis 18, Abraham intercedes for Sodom. Stephen prayed for those stoning him «And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.», (Acts 7:60). Paul prayed for Israel’s salvation «Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. », (Romans 10:1). And of course, the Lord Jesus is the master of standing in the gap, praying from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” «Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. », (Luke 23:34), and continuing to intercede for us «Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. », (Hebrews 7:25).

In the New Testament, we are told to pray for others «I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; », (1 Timothy 2:1). In God’s wisdom and sovereignty, He has chosen to use the prayers of people to accomplish His will. He still seeks those who will stand in the gap for friends and family, for people groups and nations. Like Abraham and Moses, we should be willing.

Striving to stand in the gap, pleading with God to spare and rescue.