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Repairing “Breaches”

October 1, 2008

Originally, the Bridges for Peace Home Repair Program was called Repairers of the Breach. It is an interesting title. When Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, first penned it, it was in the midst of a call for the kingdom of Judah to repent. The walls of righteousness had been broken down by their wicked treatment of the poor. God called them to a fast of “loosing the bonds of wickedness” and bringing justice to the poor. If they would act justly and correct their neglect of the poor, then they would be called “repairers of the breach” and “restorers.”

Ezekiel brought the same message to those who “mistreated the poor and needy” of his day. Through him, the Lord said, “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap [breach] before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (22:30). This language, in ancient times, referred to an army surging through a broken place in the wall of a city. To repel the enemy, the bravest soldiers would stand in the breach to keep the enemy from coming through. God is still looking for such soldiers.

We Do What They Can’t Do

With everyone pitching in, as in Nehemiah’s day when they rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, we can help alleviate some of the suffering of the poor in Israel. When Nehemiah was in Babylon and heard that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (1:4). If you saw the condition of some of the homes we see, you would most likely weep too. Like Nehemiah, take some time to go to God in prayer and ask Him what He wants you to do. If we have the means, our responsibility toward the people of Israel most often requires more than prayer.

Whatever your part may be, do it now, while you are able, and you will receive the reward that God promised the people of Isaiah’s day: “The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isa. 58:11).

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO