Mail Men
God designed and destined men to serve, bless, empower, and get things done through His grace. Men are designed by God to deliver and be reliable like the U.S. Postal Service. The title “Mail Men” is also used in honor of a former NBA basketball player named Karl Malone who earned the nicknamed “The Mail Man” because he “delivered” on the basketball court. He could be counted on to make needed plays when called upon.
Men of God are “mail men” in much more important ways!
A long time ago God said in the book of Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land ….”
He is saying the same thing until this day. Today we have the advantage of Jesus Christ empowering us with the Gospel! We are also blessed to provide a positive example to all people: 1 Corinthians 16:13 (ESV), Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
According to the text, God is looking for men and fathers to do two things: 1) Build up the wall, and 2) Stand in the gap
What is the wall?
The wall represents the moral and righteous structure and foundation that supports a blessed and fruitful life. The wall both sustains and protects inhabitants within.
Ezekiel clearly described the weaknesses of the “wall”:
22:25 There is a conspiracy of her princes within her like a roaring lion tearing its prey; they devour people, take treasures and precious things and make many widows within her. 26 Her priests do violence to my law and profane my holy things; they do not distinguish between the holy and the common; they teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean; and they shut their eyes to the keeping of my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey; they shed blood and kill people to make unjust gain. 28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds for them by false visions and lying divinations
These were all specific sinful actions that degraded their society and people, and ours.
What is the Gap?
The gap or breach is the space between unfinished or broken sections of a wall. This represents unfinished and broken aspects of life and community. There are a lot of males "among them," but God is looking for men to get some things done!
When men are encouraged, trained, and committed to following Christ we become motivated to fulfill our natural state of building up and meeting needs.
Listen to my Father’s Day Message, “Mail Men: Men That Deliver” and share it with others. Links below:
Firm Foundation Podcast on iTunes
Firm Foundation Podcast on Podbean
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