What actions can we take to avoid being a "land not cleansed"? Setting the Text in View “Son of man, say to her, ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ ” (Ezekiel 22:24) Why the Land Was Declared “Not Cleansed” (Ezekiel 22:25-31) • Prophets conspired for personal gain, devouring lives (v.25) • Priests profaned holy things, ignoring God’s distinctions (v.26) • Princes shed blood for dishonest profit (v.27) • People practiced extortion, oppression, and neglect of the needy (v.29) • No one stood in the gap to divert wrath (v.30) Root Issues Behind an Uncleansed Land • Unrepentant sin • Corrupt leadership at every level • Indifference to God’s standards of justice and holiness • Absence of intercessors willing to act Personal Actions That Keep a Land Spiritually Clean • Genuine repentance: “Wash yourselves, cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight” (Isaiah 1:16) • Daily obedience: “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22) • Pursuit of holiness: “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) • Active mercy: care for the orphan, widow, and sojourner (James 1:27; Deuteronomy 24:17-22) • Integrity in work and speech (Ephesians 4:25-32) • Faithful prayer: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Family and Congregational Steps • Teach Scripture diligently in the home (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) • Practice corporate confession and restoration (1 John 1:9; Galatians 6:1) • Uphold church discipline to preserve purity (Matthew 18:15-17) • Foster sacrificial generosity (Acts 2:44-45) • Model unity across generations and backgrounds (Ephesians 2:14-22) Responsibilities of Civic and Spiritual Leaders • Rule with justice, refusing bribes and partiality (2 Chronicles 19:6-7) • Protect life and restrain evil (Romans 13:1-4) • Preserve religious liberty and encourage righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1-2) • Speak the whole counsel of God without compromise (Acts 20:27) • Stand in the gap through intercessory leadership (Ezekiel 22:30) Nationwide Remedies Drawn from 2 Chronicles 7:14 • Humble ourselves under God’s hand • Pray and seek His face • Turn from wicked ways • Trust God to hear, forgive, and heal the land Maintaining the Downpour of Spiritual Rain • Regular self-examination (Psalm 139:23-24) • Ongoing discipleship and sound teaching (Titus 2:1) • Continual revival through the Spirit’s filling (Ephesians 5:18) • Public justice coupled with private righteousness (Micah 6:8) • Persevering hope in Christ’s ultimate cleansing reign (Revelation 21:27) |
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