Ezekiel 33:1-33, Watchman, save life
Ezekiel 33:1-33, Watchman, save life
Ezekiel 1-3 chapters are calling, 4-24 chapters are judgment of Judah, 25-32 chapters are judgment of the nations, 33-39 chapters are restoration of Judah, and 40-48 chapters are restoration of the temple. Chapter 33 deals with the mission of the watchman Ezekiel and the way for humans to obtain life.
1. Watchman Ezekiel (1-20)
God calls the captive Ezekiel as a watchman(sentinel) and gives him a mission. V.7, “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Therefore, hear the word from my mouth and warn them from me.” We must warn the people who have fallen into sin with the word of God so that they repent and turn back. The duty of the watchman is to blow the trumpet and warn them when they see a sword (war) that threatens life. If he fails to do this and the people die, the watchman (Ezekiel) is responsible. If they do not turn back after being warned, it is the people’s fault. They will die for their own sins. God’s original intention is for us to repent, turn, and enjoy life (11, Jer 29:11, 1 Tim 2:4, 2 Pet 3:9). Verse 11, “Tell them, ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn, turn from your evil ways, for why should you die, O house of Israel?’” God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked, but earnestly desires and rejoices in the repentance and life of the wicked. John the Baptist took on the role of a watchman. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:1-2). The Holy Spirit also does this work (John 16:8, convicting of sin). We, the Ezekiels of today, must also take on this task (2 Tim. 4:2, preach the word in season and out of season).
2. Destruction and misunderstanding, take the path of life (21-33)
During the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel hears the news of the fall(destruction) of Jerusalem. The watchman's warning was fulfilled. Although the watchman called for the repentance of the sinful Jerusalem and the people, they did not repent and eventually perished. However, those who remained in the land of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem did not recognize the watchman's warning as God's judgment. They misunderstood that they were blessed beings, that is, those who were left to receive the land that Abraham had inherited. However, possession of the promised land is not in numbers, but in obedience to God's word. In the end, it is to make them know Jehovah (29). On the contrary, God says that if the Babylonian captives repent and turn back, they will take on a new mission of restoration. However, the captives also misunderstood Ezekiel’s words as a beautiful voice and a song of love and did not obey them. They were also people who did not listen to the words of God and fulfilled their own desires. We must all realize this. The only way for everyone to live is to repent, turn back, and gain life and enjoy it.
3. Repent, believe, and enjoy life in Jesus Christ, the life
Jesus Christ is also our spiritual watchman. Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and save that which was lost.” He died on the cross to save our souls, and He wants our dead souls to be revived in Jesus and walk the path of life. We are all watchmen of this age. We must listen to and preach the words of God well. Be faithful to the mission of watchmen given to us, the work of proclaiming the path of life and death. Live a life of daily repentance. There is no other way to live without dying. Our life is based on faith in the death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming of Jesus Christ. God wants us to repent, return to Him, and live. The apostles confessed about Jesus that he would “come to judge the living and the dead” (Apostles’ Creed). May we all live as blessed watchmen who do not just listen to the word but practice it. Amen.
United prayer: Loving God, thank you for making me a watchman. Please give me the courage to boldly blow the trumpet of warning that I must deliver. I mourn and repent for my sins of disobedience and pride. I thank you that God’s true heart is infinite love and mercy, not rejoicing in the death of the wicked but wanting to live. Please let me proclaim that the path to life is to believe in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, was resurrected, ascended, and will return to save us who are dead in our transgressions and sins. Please let me not be bound by my past sins, but turn now and live according to the will of the Lord. Please let me become a person who does not just listen to the word, but practices it. Please give my heart completely to the Lord and let me live the life of a watchman who saves life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
