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Show EZEKIEL: THE WATCHMAN Ezekiel 18: 5-19 images that describe the work of God among His people. These word pictures helps us to understand what would be at best difficult if not impossible to grasp. The Old Testament gives us a marvelous The Bible is a book filled with view of "The God Who Sees Me" in Ezekiel: This message is designed to how God is actively present with us, The Watchman. show us provisions on our behalf, delivers us slavery, gives us safe passage along the makes from way, and protects us shepherd watching watches over from our his over enemies. Like sheep, " ... he who Israel will neither slumber sleep." (Psalm 121: 3-4) a nor For the Proverbial the eyes of the Lord are keeping watch on the wicked and writers tell that " ... everywhere, the good." (15: 3) So "Watchman, what is left of the night? The watchman replies, 'The morning is coming, but also the night." (Isaiah 21: 11-12) 1 Notice Ezekiel: The Watchman! First, Ezekiel is a watchman with a mission. He is concerned about the welfare and well-being of the people of God. He wants nothing but the best to come to them. He wants no harm to come their way. While they once knew the Word of God, but they are now operating on their own and are in danger of destruction. They are a people who refuse to listen to God, have forgotten about Him, and have turned their backs on Him. They are strong-willed, strong-headed, and hard-hearted backsliders. Perhaps Ezekiel would have been justified in turning his back on them and leaving the ways. But God loved them so much that He gave the prophet Ezekiel strength them to their own and encouragement to light house. What is more! warn the Ezekiel is a people from his watchman message. He started by warning them of their sins. God spoke to him time and time with a again and told him that the people were 2 in danger of being dry bones. Their sins had come up before God and God had a bad taste in His mouth toward them. They were destined for trouble. Listen at how He said it, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes and the children's teeth edge." (Ezekiel 18: 2) "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." (Ezekiel 18: 4) They are naked and hungry before God. So for seven days, Ezekiel: the Watchman sat with the people, feeling their pain and expressing their problems. He identified with them taking heed are set on unto himself lest he also fall. He did not make himself better than they were. Then Ezekiel: the Watchman warned the people that the judgment of God was coming, that if they did not repent and change, they would when weighed in the balances be found wanting. He warned them that wickedness does not pay well in the long haul. For the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6: 23) Lest we leave in hopelessness and despair, Ezekiel: The Watchman not only warned the 3 dangers of judgment but he announced the coming deliverance. There is good news. "Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30: 5) Like the homeowner wh watches for the thief or the virgins watching for the bridegroom to come, or the servant watching for the master to return, we must watch for that eschatological hope. We do not know when but we are sure that the Son of Man will soon return. (Matthew 24-25) The watchman can read the signs of the times and knows that it will not be long. "Jesus is coming to earth again, What if it were today? Coming in power and love to reign, What if it were today? Coming to claim His chosen Bride, All the redeemed and purified, people of their sin and the Over this whole earth scattered wide, What today?" ("What if It Were Today? by Leslie N Morris) if it were 4 |
