The Watchman and His Message

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Ezekiel 33:1-11
Psalters: 14, 214, 216, 120
Preparatory to the Lord's Supper
  1. The watchman.
    1. Ezekiel experienced the hand of the Lord upon him: 22 (1:3; 2:9; 3:14,22).
    2. Judah was in the 12th year (21) of a 70 year long judgment-captivity, and Ezekiel must minister to them.
    3. In this difficult setting of Babylon Ezekiel must be a watchman (3:17; 17; 33:7).
      1. High watch-towers built at measured intervals along the walls of Babylon, manned by men to watch for any threat.
      2. Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as having gates which implies walls (Matt. 16:19).
  2. Ezekiel had a message to bring, part of the message every pastor has to bring: warn the sheep about themselves.
    1. Ezekiel does seek to revive the hopes by speaking of a glorious future, but his emphasis is not on circumstances changing.
    2. Ezekiel had a most difficult setting in which to bring the message of God.
      1. The saved ones are filled with discouragement, weariness, frustration, and hopelessness.
      2. In their unbelieving sarcasm they charge God with being “not equal,” i.e., unjust (10, 17).
    3. Ezekiel declares that God’s commands are always present, so the call to walk in righteousness in their response is necessary.
      1. There is a God Who sets the standard for how man is to live, and every man rebels against Him and His standard.
      2. Only if they turn from their wicked ways can God turn from His fierce displeasure (3:18-21; 18:1ff, esp. 30-32).
  3. This makes most urgent the call of the watchmen to alert the people to dangers so they flee from every sin in godly sorrow
    1. To the wicked sinners God says, “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” (11b).
    2. Also the righteous must remember that they are righteous because they are given the grace to repent.
    3. The calling of all is one of constant repentance and looking always to the cross of Jesus and His righteousness.