A watchman

“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” - Ezekiel 3v17

The charge to Ezekiel was simple enough – he was to be the spiritual watchman for the nation. The watchman’s job was to stand on the wall and to warn the city of any dangers or threats to the city. All he could do was warn, the town was then responsible for what they would do with the warning.

As a spiritual watchman Ezekiel was to warn the nation of the coming judgement from God. He was to warn them of the consequences of their actions. He knew that if he warned his hands would be clean whether or not they heeded his warning.

There is a sense where God has called us to be watchmen to the people around us. We must warn them of the doom that is to come if they reject God’s offer. If we don’t do that then they might have an excuse to point a finger and say they never knew so that we share some of the responsibility. On the other hand, if we have done what we can to warn the people that we can wash our hands of the results if they do not choose to hear.