Pastor Gbenga Aluko
Text:
Ezekiel 33:1-7
- The teaching shall be done with following sub- headings.
- Background
- The guilty watchman
- Conclusion
Background
According to Scholars,
The Book of Ezekiel was written between 593 and 565 B.C. during the Babylonian
captivity of the Jews, the book describes visions of God’s glory and also
amongst others, Prophet Ezekiel’s privileged role in calling the exiled
Israelites to account for their idolatry, warning them sternly of impending
destruction should they continue in their recalcitrance, also newness on every
frontier because we serve a God of second and several chances in accordance
with His will and purpose, a God of mercy promising a future purification,
restoration, a new heart and covenant with the gracefully chosen people.
Have we left/abandoned
our sinful nature or behaviours even as watchmen? God is no respecter of people/position
and power, He still hates sin, judges same and eventually coming to judge the
unrepentant sinner beware. Acts 10:34, Hab. 1:13, Ps. 96:13. Do we
always remember that we like Prophet Ezekiel are privileged to be watchmen, if
we do, it will keep us in check, and we won’t misuse this great grace or become
a thin god.
The chapter of the
scripture of reference today (Ezekiel 33 ) isn’t divergent from the fulcrum of
the whole book, it rather circles in on one of God’s agents of solution saddled
with the sacred duty to bring warning from and create an atmosphere/conduct of harmony
with Him, The Watchmen.
The chapter graphically illustrates the responsibility
of Prophets cum watchmen and in today’s parlance, ministers and all leaders of
God’s people as watchmen to warn the people of God's coming judgment,
establishing that both the wicked and the righteous will be judged for their
choices Heb. 9:27,Rev. 20:12, and that portion of scripture also underscores
the prophesied fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians.
Are you a true/Godly watchman
or someone to be carefully watched by God and men? May we also not fall
irreparably before repenting and doing heaven’s bidding in Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen. Is. 14:12-14, Rev.14:12-14
The guilty
watchman
The question readily comes to mind, can a watchman be guilty
Ez.33:6 figuratively
states that a watchman can be guilty of blood of the town,
city, society, family and church that he/she is a watchman over. Are we not
guilty of the blood of God’s people in our care?
How can a watchman be guilty:
·
If a watchman (minister/those in leadership roles
in the house of God in today’s parlance) does not see the sword:
In plain language, he/she does not hear anything from God, no nudging of the spirit, rather trusting in: his/her public speaking capacity, gathered rumours and gossips, emotional intelligence, sinister motives and research prowess to minister to people of God Vs.6-7.
The
dangers/perils to befall this band of God’s people in such situation (the led
and their leader) is better imagined than experienced. What danger looms
when heaven is closed or the earth is deaf ! . 1 Sam.28:6
Are we watchmen who waits on God till we receive instructions, rebukes and warnings, and dispense same only? Can God communicate to His people through us?
· If a watchman misinterprets the sword: The initial analogy in the chapter of study samples an analogy of a war situation, lets continue in that analogy and assume that there is a red alert signal and the watchman wrongly interpretes it as a relaxation signal, what havoc do we think that can cause when the enemy attacks and meets their opponent/enemy in an unprepared state?
We live in an era where God’s written/spoken word is pathetically made to say something different just to suit an analogy, it didn’t start just now 1 kings 13:18, may God make us and send our ways shepherd and leaders after His own heart Amen.
God’s signal/ message/revelations/warning could be proverbial, figurative and be unclear to the surface miner/physical or unspiritual watchmen Dan 5:1ff, Gen.41:1ff. A clarion call to be spiritual to correctly relate with and represent a God who is Spirit. John 4:24.
The only message meant for those who are not God’s own yet in the New Testament era is the message of salvation, The sign and signals we are focusing now are for those already in the fold, are you one of us, one-fold one shepherd? Are you Jesus’ sheep?
His sheep understands His voice John 10:22. Were
you His sheep before you became a watchman? Just as those who cannot read are not
better than those who does not read, those who misinterprets messages from God are
not better than those who do not hear God’s timely word, warning and signals, They
portend same level of danger. The watchman can become guilty of blood if
he/she misinterprets the sword.
·
If the watchman does not deliver the message of
the sword
Vs.6. the watchman can become guilty if he/she refuses to send warnings to Gods
people as it is emanating from God.
Conclusion
Let us cry to our faithful and loving God as watchmen/women: as Unit leaders, Deacon, Deaconess, Elders, Catechist/Evangelist, Pastors, Prophets etc. in the church that God would forgive us all in every area where we are lagging, where we have been guilty of His people’s blood.
Is it about not being close to God enough or sensitive enough to get His signals or distorting /misinterpreting the dictates of His signals or wilful disobedience whether for fear of men, cheer wickedness or whatever excuse. 2 Chr.7:14.
That God should forgive
us and let us repent fully and promise to live better for him serving his
purpose which is the essence of our privileged position among His flock.
Shalom.