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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 346

"And make him their watchman"

Text: Ezekiel 33:2

THE MINISTRY OF A WATCHMAN

The Lord had made Ezekiel a watchman (Ezekiel 3:16-21). This was a ministry that was shared by others. There were many who were made watchmen. Their responsibilities were spelt out.

“Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
‘Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them:
‘When I bring the sword upon a land,
and the people of the land take a man
from their territory and make him their watchman,
when he sees the sword coming upon the land,
if he blows the trumpet and warns the people,
then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet
and does not take warning,
if the sword comes and takes him away,
his blood shall be on his own head.””
Ezekiel 33:1-4

1. The word of the Lord came to Ezekiel once again.

a) He was to address “the children of your (Ezekiel’s) people”,

b) The Lord did not describe them as His people.

c) The relationship with God was affected adversely.

d) This reminds us of how God spoke to Moses and described them in similar terms (Exodus 32:7).

2. The people made some to become “Watchmen”.

a) The task of the watchman was carefully explained.

b) This task carried heavy responsibility.

c) The “sword” was a symbol of war.

d) The “trumpet” was a warning of impending disaster such as war.

3. A word of warning from the Lord.

a) God always gave a word of warning before divine action takes place.

b) The watchman must sound the alarm by blowing the trumpet to warn the people.

4. Appropriate response.

a) The people who hear the trumpet sound are responsible for their own responses.

b) If the watchman fails in his duty, he is held accountable.

c) But if he has blown the trumpet to give warning then he is not guilty if people do not heed the word of warning given.