Hastening to the Breach

2 MAY

Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. Ezekiel 13:5

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Nehemiah 2:11-18

The prophet identifies false prophets by saying to the approved and faithful servants of God that false prophets have not gone up into the breaches, nor built up a hedge to protect the house of Israel so they might stand in the battle in the day of Jehovah. Their teaching must be altogether rejected because they do not have the right goal in mind, Ezekiel says.

The true goal of God's servants is to consider public safety, and, when they see signs of God's wrath, to meet that wrath head-on in an attempt to prevent urgent calamity. Impostor prophets viewed the people not only as impious, but rebellious, so they saw no hope of their repentance. On the other hand, though they were blind, they could see signs of God's approaching and threatening vengeance. Hence it was their duty to go forward to the breaches.

What the prophet means by "breaches" here is any opening in a wall that allows an enemy to storm into a city. So when the iniquity of the people overflows like a deluge, it opens up a rupture through which God's wrath may pour immediately, laying waste to everything until it is reduced to nothing.

Those who desire to faithfully discharge the office of teaching ought to hasten to this breach to recall people from their impiety and to exhort them to repentance.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: 

What a powerful image abundant sin making a breach through which God's wrath can pour. Have you made any such breaches in your life? Repent and pray today for repairs before God's punishment pours.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke