The Watchman and His Message
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 2/4/2018 PM |
Text: | Ezekiel 33:1-11 |
Psalters: | 14, 214, 216, 120 |
Preparatory to the Lord's Supper |
- The watchman.
- Ezekiel experienced the hand of the Lord upon him: 22 (1:3; 2:9; 3:14,22).
- Judah was in the 12th year (21) of a 70 year long judgment-captivity, and Ezekiel must minister to them.
- In this difficult setting of Babylon Ezekiel must be a watchman (3:17; 17; 33:7).
- High watch-towers built at measured intervals along the walls of Babylon, manned by men to watch for any threat.
- Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven as having gates which implies walls (Matt. 16:19).
- Ezekiel had a message to bring, part of the message every pastor has to bring: warn the sheep about themselves.
- Ezekiel does seek to revive the hopes by speaking of a glorious future, but his emphasis is not on circumstances changing.
- Ezekiel had a most difficult setting in which to bring the message of God.
- The saved ones are filled with discouragement, weariness, frustration, and hopelessness.
- In their unbelieving sarcasm they charge God with being “not equal,” i.e., unjust (10, 17).
- Ezekiel declares that God’s commands are always present, so the call to walk in righteousness in their response is necessary.
- There is a God Who sets the standard for how man is to live, and every man rebels against Him and His standard.
- Only if they turn from their wicked ways can God turn from His fierce displeasure (3:18-21; 18:1ff, esp. 30-32).
- This makes most urgent the call of the watchmen to alert the people to dangers so they flee from every sin in godly sorrow
- To the wicked sinners God says, “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” (11b).
- Also the righteous must remember that they are righteous because they are given the grace to repent.
- The calling of all is one of constant repentance and looking always to the cross of Jesus and His righteousness.