This week’s Old Testament reading is from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel. It is a passage that has always especially spoken to me every time I have read it, and I think it has a special message to believers today.
Throughout the ancient world, and even into the Middle Ages in parts of the world, cities were surrounded by two or three-storey walls. These walls were also quite thick, several yards wide at least. Upon these walls several watchmen were stationed to keep a lookout for any danger, particularly an approaching enemy army. The watchmen would circle the walls around the whole city throughout the day, keeping watch, and if they saw anything threatening in the distance they would sound an alarm, usually by blowing trumpets. The city gates would be closed and barred, the people would take cover, and the city’s soldiers would arm and ready themselves. If a watchman failed in his duty, the punishment could quite likely be death.
There is a very specific analogy being made here in this passage. Throughout the ages God has sent His own “watchmen”, servants of His from Old Testament time through today, who have faithfully sounded His warning and Words to the people. They are spiritual watchmen. What is it that they are warning people of? In the Old Testament times they warned of the need of the people to forsake the worship of the false gods of other surrounding nations, and return to the worship of the one, only true God, Yahweh, and to follow His Word. If they refused to heed the warnings there would be judgment, such as what was happening in Ezekiel’s day with the captivity of the children of Israel. They also spoke of the coming of the future Messiah, which was Jesus Christ.
Today, God’s spiritual watchmen preach His Word, warning people to repent of their sins and turn to Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ. They warn of His future judgment of the world, judgment for those who refuse Him and do not repent, and heaven for those who accept Him.
Once a watchman does his duty to warn the people of coming danger, the responsibility goes to each person (vs. 4-5). They have their own responsibility to take the warning or not. Each person is accountable for his own response, whether to die or to live. On the other hand, if the watchman doesn’t sound a warning, the people will still perish in the danger, but God will hold the watchman responsible. Their blood will be on the hands of the negligent watchman who failed to sound a warning (vs. 6).
In verses 7 - 9 we read how God set Ezekiel as a watchman to warn the people of their need to turn to Him. If Ezekiel did his job, and the people listened, that was great. If they didn’t, he wouldn’t be responsible for their doom. If he didn’t sound the warning, God would hold their blood on his hands. If we are born-again believers, we must all ask ourselves whether we are being diligent watchmen. As believers, God has set each of us to be watchmen, to warn others of the danger that lies ahead, of what will happen to them, and their eternal soul, if they fail to turn to Him. Are we sounding that warning to our family, our friends, and our neighbors? Or do we hold back, afraid to speak anything to them? Just as God said to Ezekiel, if we speak and they do not listen, we have done what we are instructed to, and their doom is their own doing. If we don’t speak up, He says their blood will be on our hands.
In verses 10 - 11 we read that God does not take pleasure in seeing the wicked perish in their sins. He wants them to repent and live, as we also read in the New Testament in II Peter 3:9. God blesses those who are faithful to Him. Mankind needs to pay attention to His warnings. Those who persist in rebelling against Him, and won’t heed the warnings will perish. Those who do will be blessed. God wants everyone to turn to Him. Sadly not everyone will. So many do not take heed to the warnings. He gives us all many opportunities to do so.
In closing, the question to those who are believers remains, are we faithful in being God’s watchmen, and giving the warning? And to those who have not yet accepted Jesus as their Savior, will you heed the warning of the watchmen, those who have spoken the Word of God to you? When the enemy approached the city walls, the watchmen blew the trumpets and warned to take heed. Today, God’s watchmen are also sounding the warning to you. Your eternal destiny is at stake, and I urge you to take the warning seriously, and ask Jesus into your heart.
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