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The Role of a Watchman—What It Means for YouThe Bible uses the role of a watchman to describe the work of a prophet among God's people. Is there more to this symbolism than many have understood? The role of a watchman is vital to a full understanding of the work of God in the end time.by Darris McNeelyTo the prophet Ezekiel God said, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (Ezekiel 3:17). Here is one of the most intriguing descriptive figures used by God in all of prophecy. It is repeated in chapter 33 for emphasis, and sets the stage for the prophet's ministry to the divided houses of Judah and Israel. Just what was the role of a watchman to an ancient city? How does God use the role of a watchman to warn and teach? What does it mean for the work of God today as this world comes to a prophetic crossroads? It is vital you understand the answer to these questions as events grow increasingly tense in a rapidly changing world order. A key figure In the ancient world of agrarian societies, large towers were placed strategically in the fields. There, as the crops were ripening toward harvest, a man would stand watch for weeks at a time, guarding the fields from animals or from thieves who would make off with the crops. With the community's basic food stores at stake, the watchman's role was critical to the townspeople. We have several references in Scripture to a watcher mounting the city walls in time of stress to survey the scene outside the fortifications. He was situated on a spot from which he could monitor the roads leading to the town. If an enemy approached, he would sound a warning; the town would close its gates and prepare for battle. You can also imagine the watcher standing vigil at other times, observing the daily life of the city. He could see much of the activity in the streets and markets. He knew the people, their work, their habits and their lifestyles. If his position was near the city gate, he could also observe the business of the city transacted by its officials (see Ruth 4:1-12). No wonder God uses this role to illustrate the job of the prophets He sent to comment on society's behavior, as well as to deliver messages of warning and instruction. Prophets set as watchmen By focusing on the Old Testament prophets, we understand the full meaning of the symbolism of a watchman. There may be more than you have noticed before. We have already noted Ezekiel 3 where God told the prophet to warn Israel of its sins and His impending punishment. He adds, "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me" (verse 17). Notice it is God's message, not Ezekiel's message or any other prophet's message. It is always God's message delivered through the human instrument. The warning comes from God in language phrased to fit the situation and designed to bring people to repentance. Let's keep this point firmly in mind. Continuing, "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul" (verses 18-19). The prophet had the duty to deliver the message: Unless the citizens of Israel and Judah acknowledged their sins, turned from them, repented and began again to obey God's law, they would die in their sins. Regardless of how individuals responded to the warning, if they heard the message, the prophet had done his job and was no longer responsible. Only if the prophet did not deliver the admonition would he be judged along with the wicked. Verses 20 and 21 explain another aspect. If a righteous person turned to sin, he would suffer the penalty, but the prophet would also be held liable for not giving him instruction. If the prophet gave adequate warning, instruction and positive teaching, the righteous could understand the consequences of turning from the right path. This could help motivate him to stay firm to the faith, a choice that would vindicate the prophet's work. You get the sense here that a part of the prophet's message was showing the people how to live and maintain their faith. It was not just a strident message focused only on pointing out their problems. If the goal is to get people to turn back to the Word of God, then the message must also show the benefits of doing so. It must show the positive, better way of life that God desires His people to live. Was the message delivered? Did Ezekiel deliver this warning message to Israel? Consider this. Ezekiel was among the captives from the nation of Judah taken to Babylon during the first siege of Jerusalem in 597 B.C. He was a contemporary of Daniel. The nation of Israel, the northern 10-tribe nation, had been in captivity for over 120 years. The house of Israel was to hear the message, but their sins had already caused them to go into captivity. They had already been punished. It leaves us with the question: Is there a future fulfillment of this prophecy? Was it to go to the modern descendants of the house of Israel living in different lands at a future time? The answer is yes! However, the explanation requires more detail than we can cover in this article. We present it in our booklet . Write for your free copy or read it online at . This point has not gone unnoticed by scholars. Here is one observation by Hershel Shanks in his book, Ancient Israel: "The preaching of Ezekiel shows that not all of these communities (of deported Israelites) had been assimilated by pagan cultures; much of this biblical book is concerned with the reunification of the Judean and Israelite branches of the nation after the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 B.C. Indeed, some passages in Ezekiel read as if they are actually directed at specific Israelites--that is, northern communities in exile" (pp. 130-131, 154). The question then is, when would these prophecies apply to Israel again? And when would they be given? Ezekiel was captive, and we have no indication he went to Israel in his day to give this message. The answer must be that God's message has a direct application to the modern descendants of these ancient people. What will the watchman say? Let's look closer at what a watchman is to do by bringing in what Isaiah tells us about those who would preach the gospel of peace. The role of a watchman is not limited to speaking only about the sins and problems of the society. The watchman was also charged with proclaiming good news about the paths of salvation. Notice this in Isaiah: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!' Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together; for they shall see eye to eye when the LORD brings back Zion. "Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem! For the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The LORD has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God" (Isaiah 52:7-10). To Jerusalem and the land of Israel God says the watchmen will hold a vigil day and night for the peace of the people. "I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD , do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. "The LORD has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: 'Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the LORD; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.' "Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world" (Isaiah 62:6-11). Here we see the watchman role given to a group of people charged with a prayer vigil for the fortunes of Israel. These people, by their presence and their prayers, seek to keep the city from suffering the ravaging effects of evil. These passages in Isaiah paint an image of godly people who are given unique vision into the world of today and the world to come. They understand the universal application of the gospel of the Kingdom of God. They see that Kingdom will be brought to earth and offer salvation not just to Israel but also to all nations. They see the reuniting of the houses of Israel within its ancient borders as the beginning of the times of restoration of all things spoken by Peter in Acts 3. But they also have insight into the world at the end of this age. They see the dark gathering clouds on the world's horizon that spell the end of Satan's time as the god of this world and author of all its evil. This leads them to mount the "walls" of society and shout a warning to any who would hear. To say, "God is sovereign, He will bring a time of judgment on the world to prove that He alone is God. All other gods erected by humans to hide His truth will be destroyed." This message will also include teaching that will show any who listen the way to personal peace. It will show the true teaching of God and the way to salvation. It will be a message to show how one can choose to escape this time of judgment God will bring upon the world. We will show who this godly group of "watchmen" are, how they view this world and what it means for you in part two of this article. WNP Recommended Reading |
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