Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “A Faithful Watchman” – Saturday, 31 May 2014 - Scripture: Ezekiel 3:16-27

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “A Faithful Watchman” – Saturday, 31 May 2014 - Scripture: Ezekiel 3:16 At the end of seven days, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, 17 Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word from my mouth, and give them warning from me. 18 When I tell the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand. 19 Yet if you warn the wicked, and he doesn’t turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 20 Again, when a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand. 21 Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous not sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning; and you have delivered your soul. 22 Yahweh’s hand was there on me; and he said to me, Arise, go out into the plain, and I will there talk with you. 23 Then I arose, and went out into the plain: and behold, Yahweh’s glory stood there, as the glory which I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell on my face. 24 Then the Spirit entered into me, and set me on my feet; and he spoke with me, and said to me, Go, shut yourself inside your house. 25 But you, son of man, behold, they shall lay bands on you, and shall bind you with them, and you shall not go out among them: 26 and I will make your tongue stick to the roof of your mouth, that you shall be mute, and shall not be to them a reprover; for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious house.
“A Faithful Watchman” by Duane C. Brush
The watchman was a key and comforting figure in ancient cities. Typically the Jews divided the night into three “watches” of approximately four hours each. The watchman was to stay alert while the city slept. It was his job to watch out for any danger that might threaten the life or property of the residents: thieves, fire, an approaching army, whatever. If a danger was discovered the watchman was to raise the alarm. If a watchman neglected his duty by sleeping on his watch or, even worse, by taking a bribe to “look the other way,” his own life could be forfeit for his betrayal of trust. Being a watchman was a serious responsibility.
It is no less true for the one who speaks for God. If God gave Ezekiel a warning for the people, he must speak out “or be held accountable for their blood” (3:18). If they ignore God’s messenger, then the judgment falls on them but not His faithful servant.
This grave responsibiltiy required another encounter with the glory of the the Lord (Ezekiel 3:22-23). Ezekiel was God’s servant whether in silence or speaking.
Faithfulness was the key. It still is.

Hymn for Today:

“A Charge To Keep I Have” by Charles Wesley
1. A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify!
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky;
2. From youth to hoary age,
My calling to fulfil;
O may it all my powers engage
To do my Master's will.
3. Arm me with jealous care,
As in Thy sight to live;
And, O Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give.
4. Help me to watch and pray,
And on Thyself rely;
Assured, if I my trust betray,
I shall for ever die.
Thought for Today:
“But you—up on your feet and get dressed for work! Stand up and say your piece. Say exactly what I tell you to say. Don’t pull your punches or I’ll pull you out of the lineup.”(Jeremiah 1:1, The Message)
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Botswana!
-------
WordAction Publishing Company
Beacon Hill Press
Nazarene Publishing Company
2500 Troost Avenue
Kansas City, MO 64108 United States
Embrace holy living…visit reflectinggod.com.
-------