Ezekiel
33 reminds me of the time when we were preparing for the birth of our
first child. It is amazing how your entire perspective changes as
you begin to view the world through the eyes of a parent. Every
child becomes someone’s baby. There was a young teen driver that
regularly sped through our neighborhood. I would normally shout at
him to slow down! One evening, my very pregnant wife walked out into
the middle of the street to block his path, forcing him to stop. She
proceeded to write him a verbal ticket, warning him to watch out for
all the little ones! I’m not sure what she said, but I never saw
him speed past again. In today’s chapter, the prophet was
instructed to “choose one of
their men and make him their watchman”
over the nation. His job was to “blows
the trumpet to warn the people”
that judgment is coming. God makes it very clear, “if
the watchman… does
not blow
the trumpet to
warn the people… I
will hold the watchman accountable for their blood“.
He also makes it clear that the people must react, “if
anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning…
their blood will be on their own
head“. God tells Ezekiel, “I
have made you a watchman… speak and
give them warning from Me“.
Next
the chapter lays down the law. God declares, “I
take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they
turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways!”
He adds, “Warn the wicked
person to turn from their ways”
if not, “they will die for
their sin“. He says of the
Nation, “Our offenses and sins
weigh us down, and we are wasting away because of them“.
God
describes His perfect standard, “‘If
someone who is righteous disobeys that person’s
former righteousness will count
for nothing“. That teen
driver only needed to hit one child to have his life ruined. God
also describes His perfect forgiveness, if someone “who
is wicked
repents that person’s former
wickedness will not bring condemnation“.
Being a watchman takes boldness; some people do not slow down and do
not care if you get bumped out of their way. Boldness still warns
the unrepentant that they will “die
for the evil they have done“.
Truth speakers are ridiculed today as Watchmen have become watchers.
Who will tell the reckless to “turn
away from their sin and do what is just and right“?
Who will offer hope? Who will be an example? Who will say you can
change and “that
person will surely live; they
will not die“. Ezekiel said
the Lord opened his mouth, “and
I was no longer silent“. God
knows our hearts. Some will “hear
your words but… not put them into practice… to them you are
nothing more than… one who sings love songs“.
Others “will know that a
prophet has been among them“.
You do not know what your words of encouragement will produce. The
apostle Paul said, “I planted
the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow”
(1 Corinthians 3:6). It is the Spirit of God that births faith; you
are not alone. Friend, are you willing to be a watchman in your
street, or office, or home?