PROPHETIC WATCHMEN (1)

“Son of man, I have made you a WATCHMAN for the house of Israel, therefore hear a word form My mouth, and give them warning from Me” – Ezekiel 3: 17

The prophet Ezekiel portrays a vital prophetic operation in terms of the roles of PROPHETIC WATCHMEN: “Son of man, I have made you a WATCHMAN for the house of Israel, therefore hear a word form My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Eze.3:17). God compared Ezekiel’s prophetic role to that of a watchman, sentinel, or lookout for Israel during battle. Earlier to this, the Lord asked Ezekiel to eat a scroll, as the official embracing of his prophetic call (Eze.3: 1-4). His prophetic task of warning the people was defined by a military metaphor of someone who stood attentively on the city walls and watched for the enemy’s approach so as to warn the city, especially in times of battle.

Watchmen shielded fields and vineyards during harvest time (Isa.5:1-2; Mk.12:1). Spiritually, God appoints prophets as spiritual watchmen over the souls of His people! Ezekiel was to be on top of the city wall, scan the horizon, and raise the warning voice to announce the coming of enemies. Watchmen had to stay awake or face execution. As a faithful soldier will be careful to understand his duty; so, the spiritual watchman, must adhere closely to God’s Word for guidance and direction. A watchman cannot be spiritually asleep but watch day and night – at all times: “Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees...Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night.” (Isa.21:6b,8).

Watchmen, stationed on high walls or in watchtowers, were responsible for protecting cities and military installations from surprise enemy attacks and other potential dangers. Their job was to keep watch and warn the people of impending threats. They had to be vigilant at all times, and avoid distractions. Isaiah 56:10 describes watchmen who were blind, ignorant, dumb, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. In contrast, Ezekiel was to prophesy God’s word of judgment, even if the wicked did not listen or repent. He must warn the righteous and the wicked alike in order to fulfill his obligation to the Lord; otherwise “his blood I will require at your hand” (v.18b).

The prophets’ role as watchmen was to urge God’s people to live faithfully and if the perils of falling away from Him. They were also called to warn wicked people of the judgment and destruction that would come their way unless they repented. Believers in Christ, as God’s prophetic people, have received the watchman call. It’s our privilege and duty as “ministers of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18), to warn the world that the hour of God’s Judgment has come (Rev 14:7) and that there is salvation in Jesus (Rom 10:9). Our mission is not only to eat the scroll – to be immersed in Scripture Meditation – but to go out, with compassion and urgency, save the straying, and invite people to turn and believe.