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.
Ezekiel 33:3-5 NIV
The heading for Ezekiel 33 is, " God Reminds Ezekiel That He Is a Watchman." My dictionary defines watchman as "a guard who keeps watch," or more generally a "guard." We have seen in our daily lives watchmen. These on duty guards may be in crowded happy places like a fair or in more solitary locations like businesses after hours, perhaps walking a timed patrol route, or sitting at a station near an entrance. A watchman is hired to attempt to prevent or at least detect and sound an alarm or warn about actions that would harm people, property, trade secrets, or other items of value.
Today's section of Ezekiel does continue and place accountability for the shed blood on the head of the watchman for failing to sound the trumpet when the sword comes.
Looking ahead to Jesus, one can consider Him to have the role of a watchman, for he has in his teaching, provided many warnings. Some that come to mind include the following messages: No one comes to the Father, but through me; Be prepared, for no one knows the hour; No one sees the kingdom of God unless he is born again; To pick up our mat and stop sinning; Not to throw stones unless we are without sin; and To enter by the gate, or be a thief.
In considering Jesus' many examples of being a watchman, how have you followed His examples in your daily life?
How are you being a watchman? Are you committed to telling the story?
Pray for the Spirit to guide you to lovingly show and to tell the story.
In Christ,
David P
No comments:
Post a Comment