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Watchman on the Wall



In Ezekiel 33:7 the Lord appeared to the prophet and told him, “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.”

In an analogous way, Ezekiel was to serve as a watchman for Israel. Watchmen were a common sight in cities that had walls for protection; they were stationed high atop the wall with a great vantage point to see any would-be intruders. Their job was simple: if they saw any invaders, sound the alarm by blasting the trumpet. Give an alert to everyone inside the city walls.

As the Lord’s watchman on the wall, Ezekiel had to decide if he was going to sound the alarm or not. But we couldn’t blame him if he didn’t want to. Who wants to be the bearer of bad news? The message was that the people had sinned so much for so long that God was sending an invading army.

The people would be receiving the wages of their sin, and yet Ezekiel would be the one to blame if he did not speak the message the Lord gave him. The next verse says, “If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.”

He could argue God wasn’t being fair. He was not the one in idolatry. But the judgment of the idolaters would be between them and God. If Ezekiel kept the message to himself, he would have to answer to God for his part. God will deal with each individual individually.

I believe we have been called to be watchmen on God’s wall. But we do not like to use the words “sin” or “repent.” Too many watchmen are ignoring the message we are supposed to be sharing. Rather than sounding the alarm, they are delivering benign messages meant to not ruffle any feathers. That is like seeing an invading army and choosing not to blow the trumpet.

The world needs us to be watchmen on the wall. Don’t be afraid to share the message the Lord has given us. Don’t let their blood be required at your hand. 

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