The Integrity of Leadership: A Challenge from Ezekiel
Ezekiel 13:4-5
O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 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.
This is a stern rebuke against the false prophets of Ezekiel’s day. Before we just skip over this text as if it is not relevant to today’s world, let us remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He did not tolerate false prophets back in Ezekiel’s day, then He will be no less tolerant today. Compared to foxes in deserts, these so-called prophets were preying on sheep and hiding in holes.
How many men in our world do the same today, while posed as trusted clergymen? How many are in “ministry” only for what they can get out of it? How many choose such a position only for the perks; a parsonage, a paycheck, and a pension plan? And how many are nowhere to be found when it comes down to fighting the good fight of faith?
Oh man of God, please do not be as one who doesn’t mind getting their hands full as long as they do not have to get their hands dirty! Our generation needs great men of God, mighty men of valor, who will stand up and declare what thus saith the Word of the Lord, despite how unpopular or politically incorrect it may be.
We need men who will get down in the trenches with sinners who have fallen among thieves, and who otherwise have no hope. We need men of character who will not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think, but who will be able to esteem others better than themselves. We need men who will be faithful to the cause of Christ regardless of whether or not it fattens the wallet to do so.
What ever happened to the spirit of Elijah? Did his mantle fall to the ground? No, but it was placed upon Elisha, who received the double portion! Did it stop there? No, but it rose again in a man we know as John the Baptist, who preferred to be called the voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” Did it stop there? If not, where is that mantle in our generation?
Who will take up the mantle and care only that his Lord be magnified above all else? Who will take this gospel trumpet and sound the alarm? Who will go up into the gaps, make up the hedges for this generation, and stand in the battle in the day of the Lord?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. 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.
This is a stern rebuke against the false prophets of Ezekiel’s day. Before we just skip over this text as if it is not relevant to today’s world, let us remember that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He did not tolerate false prophets back in Ezekiel’s day, then He will be no less tolerant today. Compared to foxes in deserts, these so-called prophets were preying on sheep and hiding in holes.
How many men in our world do the same today, while posed as trusted clergymen? How many are in “ministry” only for what they can get out of it? How many choose such a position only for the perks; a parsonage, a paycheck, and a pension plan? And how many are nowhere to be found when it comes down to fighting the good fight of faith?
Oh man of God, please do not be as one who doesn’t mind getting their hands full as long as they do not have to get their hands dirty! Our generation needs great men of God, mighty men of valor, who will stand up and declare what thus saith the Word of the Lord, despite how unpopular or politically incorrect it may be.
We need men who will get down in the trenches with sinners who have fallen among thieves, and who otherwise have no hope. We need men of character who will not think of themselves more highly than they ought to think, but who will be able to esteem others better than themselves. We need men who will be faithful to the cause of Christ regardless of whether or not it fattens the wallet to do so.
What ever happened to the spirit of Elijah? Did his mantle fall to the ground? No, but it was placed upon Elisha, who received the double portion! Did it stop there? No, but it rose again in a man we know as John the Baptist, who preferred to be called the voice of one crying in the wilderness, saying, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord!” Did it stop there? If not, where is that mantle in our generation?
Who will take up the mantle and care only that his Lord be magnified above all else? Who will take this gospel trumpet and sound the alarm? Who will go up into the gaps, make up the hedges for this generation, and stand in the battle in the day of the Lord?
~ Pastor Gary Caudill