Ezekiel’s condemnation of society started at the top with the princes, then extended to lower government officials, the religious community of priests and prophets, and finally to the people of the land.
These “people of the land” were ordinary citizens who still had some degree of agency in their lives as opposed to the most vulnerable.
He had this to say about the people of the land: The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery; they have oppressed the poor and needy and have extorted from the alien without justice (Ezekiel 22.29).
Immigration is a highly debated topic in America. In fact, it likely played a significant role in the election of Donald Trump as president. It might be worth reflecting on why people choose to leave their home countries and undertake a desperate journey to a new nation.
Below is the result of an Internet search on the 5 poorest nations in South America.
As of 2024, the five South American countries with the lowest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita, based on nominal values, are:
- Venezuela: $3,640
- Bolivia: $3,800
- Suriname: $5,556
- Paraguay: $5,667
- Colombia: $6,417
These figures represent the average annual income per person in each country, reflecting the economic output divided by the population.
It’s important to note that GDP per capita is a broad indicator of economic performance and doesn’t account for income distribution disparities within a country.
For context, the $3,640 annual income in Venezuela does not represent what the average person earns. This figure includes both the wealthiest individuals living in lavish luxury and the poorest citizens.
I recently read about a law professor in Venezuela who earns less in two weeks than the average American laborer makes in a single day.
If someone handed me a blank sheet of paper and said, “It’s your job to fix America’s immigration system,” I wouldn’t know where to start. However, we have a clear mandate from God, spoken through Ezekiel and throughout both the Old and New Testaments, to care for the most vulnerable in the world.
Even though I don’t have the answers to fix the system, I do know how to pray. Sometimes, the only way to see a God-centered solution is to ask Him to intervene.
Would you join me in praying for that?
Standing in the Broken Places
Jeremiah was instructed to search the countryside for someone living according to God’s principles.
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and take note!
Search its squares and see
if you can find one person
who acts justly
and seeks truth—
so that I may pardon Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 5.1)
Sadly, he found no one. Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel was told that God was searching for someone to repair the wall and stand in the breach on behalf of the land. However, God found no one.
And I sought for anyone among them who would repair the wall and stand in the breach before me on behalf of the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.
Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; I have returned their conduct upon their heads, says the Lord God (Ezekiel 22.30-31).
We can assume that God was seeking someone who would stand up for justice, put an end to oppression, interrupt the cycle of escalating violence, and call the people to repentance.
Sadly, it seems Ezekiel was the only one fulfilling that role. Meanwhile, the rest of the people grew weary of his persistent preaching about God’s impending judgment.
Reflections:
As we reflect on Ezekiel’s message of impending judgment and consider its relevance to our present day, we may find ourselves asking: What can we do?
I’ve included what I believe is an excellent video by Dallas Willard on prayer. I encourage you to watch it, as I think his insights will be highly valuable. Please seriously consider putting his teachings into practice.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 