Repair Job

"Thus says the LORD GOD, Alas for the senseless prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Your prophets have been like jackals among ruins, O Israel. You have not gone up into the breaches, or repaired a wall for the house of Israel, so that it might stand in battle on the day of the LORD."

(Ezekiel 13:3-5)

I was fortunate enough to be in Berlin, Germany the year after the Berlin Wall came down. It had been such a symbol of division. Not just the division between the east and the west sides of the city... or Communism vs. Democracy... but of how divided we human beings can be at times. When I was there in the summer of 1991, there was but a remnant of the wall left. Most had been removed (or scavenged as souvenirs). Yet I could imagine the imposing presence it had when it was standing.

In Ezekiel 13, God chastises most of the prophets of Israel for not having done their jobs, instead being more focused on themselves. God wanted them to pay attention to what was happening around them - especially as their country was facing potential exile. God held the prophets responsible for not doing their part to "stand in the breach" (between the enemy and the people), or help "repair a wall" for the people.

We might think that was the job of the military - and it was, physically speaking. But spiritually, God's prophets were called to do the same things for the people! To help them prepare for the spiritual battles in life! To recognize evil (and sin), and to have their defenses up to withstand the inevitable attacks we all face.

And most of the prophets failed miserably in that responsibility.

Which makes me nervous. I'm also a "prophet" as a pastor. Technically, I'm the spiritual leader of the people God has set me over. How have I "stood in the breach," or helped "repair the walls" in their lives? How have I helped strengthen their defenses, so they can stand strong when the pitfalls, challenges, setbacks, and disasters of life strike (like they do for ALL of us!)?

Help me, O God. Keep me focused on what you want (no, NEED!) me to do for the beloved community at Palmdale UMC.