The Watchmen

In Ezekiel 33: 1-6, Ezekiel was commanded to speak to the people, saying that if watchman did not sound the trumpet to warn the people of a coming enemy, their blood would be on his head. But if he sounded the trumpet and they did not heed the warning, their blood would be on their own.

God then gives him this command:

So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul (v. 7-9).

Were Ezekiel to not call the Israelites to repentance and speak the Word of God, Ezekiel would be held responsible for their blood. That’s some pretty serious business.

And thinking about it, I have to wonder if that call to be watchmen doesn’t apply to us today as Christians?

We have been given a clear word from God—indeed, we’ve been given the Word, Jesus Christ revealed and His Gospel—does this not make the command to share the gospel all the more serious?

Just thinking about it gives me pause.

It’s weighty stuff. We’re going to give an account to God for what we’ve done with all He’s given us—and particularly with this great treasure, the good news of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

This week, I’m looking for an opportunity, and by God’s grace, I will be bold and share the Truth, for we know that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Rom. 10:14-17, emphasis mine).

May we all find the boldness to be watchmen this week.

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