Ezekiel 33:6 Watchmen

Do we take heed to the Lord’s word in Ezekiel 33:6?

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.”

This is the Lord’s word and it is serious business, in fact is there a business more important? In practical terms during Ezekiel’s time, when there was an attack, it was the job and office of the watchman to alert the people. The watchman sounded the trumpet to let them know the sword was coming. If he failed in doing this, the blood of his people were on his hands.

Why don’t I take this seriously today? My neighbors, my friends, my family, and strangers all around me are unaware of the sword that is coming. And yet, like a negligent watchman, I fail to sound the trumpet. The watchman does not save a person, he just let’s them know of the incoming peril. I often put the weight of someone’s salvation on my own hands and this is NOT what this passage is talking about. Man cannot save souls, only God alone does. But we are called to be watchmen.

The interesting thing is while we know that sword is coming, we also know there is already a victor as well. While the watchman couldn’t win the battle they alerted their people. With Christ, there is already full victory. However, if one doesn’t know of the peril, how shall they know of the victor? And what a sweet victor we have. The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, has already fought our battle. He was slain on our behalf, and then He conquered death so that we may live. This compels us to have joy. It compels us to be watchmen that recognize the seriousness of sin and it’s consequences, but at the same time rejoices in the triumphant victor of sin and death, the giver of life. Christ is the motivation of our life, and He is the strength and means in which we can be faithful watchmen.

He is the same victor, that also saves the watchman. As I think about my failures in this area, I need to repent. I also realize that Christ did not fail as a watchman. He showed us what was to come, and HE CONQUERED IT. The tendency for me is often to look at my “lack of being a faithful watchman” and wallow in that. But my Savior has already conquered this completely. As a healer, He has taken my wounds and given me his righteousness both now and forever. As I repent, I can take great joy in knowing that He was and is the perfect watchman. He alerted us and saved us. It is the joy of Christ that compels us to not wallow in our sin, but repent and share this good news with all who are in our lives.

Sweet Jesus, you are victor over all. Thank you for being the perfect watchman both yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You went before us and did what we could not do, you brought true worship to your Father. Help us to be a watchmen that care for the people all around us and shares both the peril that awaits, as well as the beautiful victory that is yours. May we all fall before you feet and praise you!

Tags: Seminary