Appointed Watchmen (Ezekiel 33:7-9)
The role of a watchman is critical to the protection of a kingdom. These men would walk the outer walls of a city and guard it. In doing this, they would keep their eyes out for any activity that could endanger the members of that particular city and kingdom. In Ezekiel 33, God appointed one of His prophets, Ezekiel, to be a watchman. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, God would say, Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life. (NASB 95) What is God trying to tell Ezekiel? If Ezekiel as a watchman, seeing the wickedness of the people, did not warn them of their wickedness, he too would be guilty of sin. What a powerful message! Woe to us if we see iniquity and decide not to address it. Galatians 6:1 says, Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. (NASB 95) May we always, with an attitude of humility and self-reflection, confront and address sin when we see it in ourselves and the lives of others. As watchmen for the kingdom of God, may we all heed such a principle.
-Bryce Mayfield