Bible Reading: 1 Kings 2; Galatians 6; Ezekiel 33; Psalms 81 & 82
Ezekiel 33:7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
The watchman sat in the tower with his eyes constantly scanning the horizon. He was looking for signs of danger coming upon the city. If an army was approaching, the watchman would see it and sound the horn loudly to make sure everyone was able to get ready for what was coming. Ezekiel was a watchman for the house of Israel. He was called by God to scan the horizon for danger and report to the people. He was not warning them of a coming army, but of the wrath of the LORD because of their infidelity to God.
Ezekiel 33:25-26 Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land?
Israel had forgotten the Lord and was not walking in his ways. God appointed the watchman to warn them. If the watchman did his job and the people did not listen, it was their fault if disaster came upon them. But if the watchman did not warn the people and disaster came upon them he was held responsible. The watchman’s job is a very important one.
Are there watchmen appointed for today? Certainly – pastors and teachers are watchmen on the walls who scan the horizon looking for any sign of danger and warning the people of what is coming. They are scanning the culture and weighing it in light of the Bible to see what new apostasy is approaching the people of God. They sound the trumpet loudly when they see the danger and diligently warn the people. What the people do with the warning will determine if they are taken captive by the unbiblical philosophy of the day or not.
Watchmen also warn of wolves and false teachers who come against God’s people. We see Paul doing this in Ephesus:
Acts 20:29-31 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
He instructed the Ephesian elders to “Watch”! Are you watching for those under your care? Are you listening to the watchmen that are on the walls? There is always danger and we must watch.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
In Christ,
Rody
