Many times over the years I have read the passage in Ezekiel 33 where God tells Ezekiel he is a watchman. Every time I read it I feel a strong conviction that I too am a watchman.
"The word of the Lord came to me "Son of man, speak to your countrymen and say to them; 'When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not take warning and the sword comes and takes his life, his blood will be on his own head. Since he heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had taken warning, he would have saved himself. 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.'
"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 the wicked, "O wicked man, you will surely die; and you do not speak out to dissuade him from his ways that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable tor his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself." Ezekiel 33:1-9 NIV
I cannot read this passage without feeling the conviction of responsibility. When God says, "if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin" I know in my heart that God is speaking to me. My name is not Ezekiel and I am not a prophet but I know from deep inside of me that this applies to me. I am responsible for sharing the message but I am not responsible for the harvest. That is God's responsibility. If I share the message of Jesus with someone who is lost and they do not accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior then I have done what God wanted me to do. That may not make it feel better, especially if they are family or a close friend but they have a free choice as we did.
I want to point out to you that God did not say Ezekiel was "the" watchman, as in the one and only. God said, "I have made you a watchman…" I think that is important for us to hear. I believe God has appointed many to be watchman.
Another thing to think about is there are different roles that have watchman responsibilities built into them. As a father I am constantly aware of my role as a watchman. I believe one of the most important things I will ever do in this life is help my daughter be the person God wants her to be. This is just one example that is very important to me; you probably can think of others that are important to you of watchman-type responsibilities for roles you play in life.
It may be true that not everyone is meant to be a "watchman" the way God called Ezekiel to be but Jesus clearly tells us to share the good news with those around us and including the whole world. You have to decide if God is calling you to be a watchman for yourself.
"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." Matthew 28:19-20
As I approach 50 I would like to think my life has been meaningful and worthwhile in many ways but is there really, anything, more important than sharing the cure for the illness of sin and condemnation to the people I know and love.
Here is a poem I wrote 10 years ago after reading this passage and feeling the inspiration that always comes with it.
Watchman let your trumpet sound
All who listen will be found
Righteous in God's eyes if they
Turn from all their sin and pray
Following God in every way.
Watchman let your trumpet blow
Warn the people so they'll know
God will judge the world of sin
But there is one way to win
Jesus Christ--just let Him in.
Watchman lift your trumpet high
To the people sound the cry
Warn them of the judgment day,
The price for sin did Jesus pay,
Believe in Him--He is the way.
Tim Gray
1999
There is no doubt about it, God is honored when we do the work of a watchman and share His message of love and grace with a hurting and dying world.
Please take a moment and leave a comment and share your thoughts on being a watchman.
Tim
