Examining The Scripture CXIII: The Lone Watchman

Warning to Israel

"At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself. "Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself." ~Ezekiel 3:16-21

The Watchman

God called Ezekiel to be a Watchman over the house of Israel in Ezekiel 3:16-21, specifically verse 17. God instructed Ezekiel that when God spoke to him he was to give the people of Israel a warning from God. The implications or repercussions of doing or not doing what the Lord commands is clear. If Ezekiel is commanded to tell someone they are wicked and he fails to tell them they will surely die in their wickedness for their iniquities…and Ezekiel will be to blame . Why? God gave Ezekiel the onus of pronouncing their wickedness to them because they probably didn’t even recognize the depth of their depravity by this point in Israel’s history. Their blood would be on Ezekiel’s hands having known better but said nothing. In this instance the old question of whether we are our brother's keeper is answered. It is a resounding YES.

Additionally if a righteous man backslides or practices iniquity and God puts a stumbling block in his way he too will die. Again, if Ezekiel does not warn him, he will die because of his sin and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. Ezekiel in this case would also be held accountable for his blood unless he warns the righteous person not to sin. It would be as if Ezekiel himself had killed or damned them. If the righteous man does not sin he will live because he listened to Ezekiel’s warning, in turn Ezekiel will have saved himself.
The watchmen on walls in cities were extremely important because they often gave distant early warning to those in the city to prepare for difficult circumstances. It also gave those outside the walls time to seek protection inside the walls of a city. While this passage in Ezekiel is referring to judgment the idea is the same. Ezekiel is to be diligent in what he has been commanded to do in giving warning to those that are unaware of impending doom or disaster (sin and damnation) . In a cities case it is war or siege, in a believers case it is temptation, sin and ultimately death and punishment in hell. The “wall” to this point for the Israelites was God himself and His covenant with His chosen people. Up until exile and even during exile God was a protective barrier of varying effectiveness based His God’s grace and mercy. The wall security was high when Israel was at peace and in prosperity and low when sent into exile or under siege. If he does not do as commanded and protect Israel with a watchful (righteous) eye it will have a destructive or damning effect on them and it will be the watchmen’s fault for not staying vigilant and crying out or blowing his shofar when he saw danger (sin) either approaching or infiltrating the walls (Dyer et al 1233).

Modern Application

This is not much different than the idea of a pastor in a church keeping the wolves from the door. It is a pastor’s leadership responsibility to take and active roll to assure that those under his care are cared for, educated in the Word and watched over. Passive pastors are not what God has called to the ministry. This goes for all aspects of spiritual leadership inculding elders and even parents. The Bible is replete with instances of active or even aggressive ministry not passive “sleeping on the night watch” ministry. We are to go out into the world and pass on what Christ gave to us. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 We are also commanded to defend…"Be always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in you but with respect and gentleness" 1 Peter 3:15. Regardless of what others have said or preached, we as Christians are not to be doormats. Jesus Christ wasn’t a doormat nor will I be.

Dyer, Charles., John Walvoord. "Ezekiel" Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 1985. 1233. Print.

Wiersbe, Warren. "From Priest To Prophet." Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament: The Prophets (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 2003. 169. Print.