Text:
Ezekiel 33:1-7
Topic:
The guilty watchman
The teaching shall be done with following sub- headings.
Background
The
guilty watchman
Conclusion
Background
According to Scholars, The Book of Ezekiel was
written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews,
the book describes visions of God’s glory and also amongst others, Prophet
Ezekiel’s privileged role in calling the exiled Israelites to account for their
idolatry, warning them sternly of impending destruction should they continue in
their recalcitrance, also newness on every frontier because we serve a God of second
and several chances in accordance with His will and purpose, a God of mercy
promising a future purification, restoration, a new heart and covenant with the
gracefully chosen people.
Have we left/abandoned our sinful nature or
behaviours even as watchmen? God is no respecter of people/position and power, He
still hates sin, judges same and eventually coming to judge the unrepentant
sinner beware. Acts 10:34, Hab. 1:13, Ps. 96:13. Do we always remember
that we like Prophet Ezekiel are privileged to be watchmen, if we do, it will
keep us in check, and we won’t misuse this great grace or become a thin god.
The chapter of the scripture of reference today (Ezekiel
33 ) isn’t divergent from the fulcrum of the whole book, it rather circles in
on one of God’s agents of solution saddled with the sacred duty to bring
warning from and create an atmosphere/conduct of harmony with Him, The
Watchmen.
The
chapter graphically illustrates the responsibility of Prophets cum watchmen and
in today’s parlance, ministers and all leaders of God’s people as watchmen to
warn the people of God's coming judgment, establishing that both the wicked and
the righteous will be judged for their choices Heb. 9:27,Rev. 20:12, and
that portion of scripture also underscores the prophesied fall of Jerusalem to
the Babylonians.
Are you a true/Godly watchman or someone to be
carefully watched by God and men? May we also not fall irreparably before
repenting and doing heaven’s bidding in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen. Is. 14:12-14,
Rev.14:12-14
The guilty watchman
The question readily comes to mind, can a
watchman be guilty
Ez.33:6 figuratively states that a
watchman can be guilty of blood of the town, city, society, family and church that
he/she is a watchman over. Are we not guilty of the blood of God’s people in
our care?
How can a watchman be guilty:
·
If
a watchman (minister/those in leadership roles in the house of God in today’s
parlance) does not see the sword:
In plain language, he/she
does not hear anything from God, no nudging of the spirit, rather trusting in:
his/her public speaking capacity, gathered rumours and gossips, emotional intelligence,
sinister motives and research prowess to minister to people of God Vs.6-7.
The dangers/perils to
befall this band of God’s people in such situation (the led and their leader)
is better imagined than experienced. What danger looms when heaven is
closed or the earth is deaf ! . 1 Sam.28:6
Are we watchmen who waits
on God till we receive instructions, rebukes and warnings, and dispense same only?
Can God communicate to His people through us?
·
If
a watchman misinterprets the sword: The initial analogy in the chapter
of study samples an analogy of a war situation, lets continue in that analogy
and assume that there is a red alert signal and the watchman wrongly
interpretes it as a relaxation signal, what havoc do we think that can cause
when the enemy attacks and meets their opponent/enemy in an unprepared state?
We live in an era where
God’s written/spoken word is pathetically made to say something different just
to suit an analogy, it didn’t start just now 1 kings 13:18, may God make us and
send our ways shepherd and leaders after His own heart Amen.
God’s signal/
message/revelations/warning could be proverbial, figurative and be unclear to
the surface miner/physical or unspiritual watchmen Dan 5:1ff, Gen.41:1ff.
A clarion call to be spiritual to correctly relate with and represent a
God who is Spirit. John 4:24.
The only message meant
for those who are not God’s own yet in the New Testament era is the message of
salvation, The sign and signals we are focusing now are for those already
in the fold, are you one of us, one-fold one shepherd? Are you Jesus’ sheep?
His sheep understands His voice John 10:22. Were
you His sheep before you became a watchman? Just as those who cannot read are not
better than those who does not read, those who misinterprets messages from God are
not better than those who do not hear God’s timely word, warning and signals, They
portend same level of danger. The watchman can become guilty of blood if
he/she misinterprets the sword.
·
If the watchman does not deliver the message of the sword Vs.6. the watchman can
become guilty if he/she refuses to send warnings to Gods people as it is
emanating from God.
Conclusion
Let us cry to our faithful and loving God as
watchmen/women: as Unit leaders, Deacon, Deaconess, Elders, Catechist/Evangelist,
Pastors, Prophets etc. in the church that God would forgive us all in every
area where we are lagging, where we have been guilty of His people’s blood.
Is it about not being close to God enough or
sensitive enough to get His signals or distorting /misinterpreting the dictates
of His signals or wilful disobedience whether for fear of men, cheer wickedness
or whatever excuse. 2 Chr.7:14.
That God should forgive us and let us repent
fully and promise to live better for him serving his purpose which is the
essence of our privileged position among His flock.
Shalom.
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