Standing in the Gap

The -gap- is a figurative way of describing God's entrance into the world arena with the intention to destroy. All the world stood guilty before him. In the Ezekiel picture, he sought a man to stand in the gap as mediator to engage with God and, yes, try to stop him. Yet the gospel describes how God himself stood in the gap for sinners. As mediator, the Son of God assuaged the fury of God. We consider why this intercessory role is carried out for the elect alone, and then speak about how God is looking for men and women today to -stand in the gap- in prayer for the people of this world.