The call to be a Christ follower is a great blessing and a great responsibility. A Christian is one who is concerned for the well-being of others. God has called us to be others focused. In the Old Testament God raised up individuals to be His representative to others. One of their responsibilities was to act as a watchman, looking out for the safety and well-being of the people. Ezekiel was called to be a watchman to the nation of Israel:

Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me. (Ezekiel 3:17)

The word watchman conveys the idea of being fully aware of a situation in order to gain an advantage and keep from being surprised by an enemy. The root word has the meaning of leaning forward and peering into the distance and by implication it means being alert and active in watching rather than merely gazing. A watchman is to be alert to any type of significant event. The responsibility of the watchman is to sound the alarm and warn the people in time of trouble. If the warning goes unheeded, that is not the watchman’s responsibility. The watchman’s responsibility is to sound the alarm, but the people are responsible for their response. If the watchman is not alert and gets distracted and fails to sound the alarm, then God will hold the watchman responsible for the situation:

But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand. (Ezekiel 33:6)

God has placed His people as a watchman on the walls. Who are the people within your walls? We are not responsible for how people react to God’s message, but we have a responsibility to speak up and sound the alarm. The Apostle Paul could boldly declare:

Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. (Acts 20:26-27)

The role of a watchman is a grave responsibility, for the souls of others are at stake. We must be alert to every opportunity and must not be afraid to sound the alarm. As Christians, we are God’s chosen people who have been called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. May we realize that we are our brother’s keeper and follow the example of Ezekiel:

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. (Ezekiel 33:7)

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark