16 And at the end of seven days, the word of the Lord came to me: 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 18 If 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, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. 20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. 21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul.”
22 And the hand of the Lord was upon me there. And he said to me, “Arise, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you.” 23 So I arose and went out into the valley, and behold, the glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory that I had seen by the Chebar canal, and I fell on my face. 24 But the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and he spoke with me and said to me, “Go, shut yourself within your house. 25 And you, O son of man, behold, cords will be placed upon you, and you shall be bound with them, so that you cannot go out among the people. 26 And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth, so that you shall be mute and unable to reprove them, for they are a rebellious house. 27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God.’ He who will hear, let him hear; and he who will refuse to hear, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house. Ezekiel 3: 16 - 27
Ezekiel 3: 16-27 A Watchman
9Come, all you beasts of the field; eat greedily, all you beasts of the forest. 10Israel’s watchmen are blind, they are all oblivious; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they are dreamers lying around, loving to slumber. 11Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain:… Isaiah 56: 9-11
The word of the Lord came to me - These first 3 chapters are almost like the longest interview ever, but not, for they basically find Ezekiel smack dab in the midst of his orientation. God has told him the job, made him sturdy against the stubbornness that he will contend with, and for seven days he has been dumbfounded. He has seen a vision of heaven, an image of the Son of Man, a lot to take in, and now God speaks to him again.
I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel - A watchman was someone who stood in a tower or high place that afforded a good view all around, and could see things coming from a distance. He reports what he sees, an army approaching, a rider, a storm, a fire lit in the distance that signals to the viewer to prepare, more is coming. He needs to be alert and he needs to be accurate in his report, so that those hearing can make a wise decision.
…11Sharpen the arrows! Fill the quivers! The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes, because His plan is aimed at Babylon to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of the LORD—vengeance for His temple. 12Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon; post the guard; station the watchmen; prepare the ambush. For the LORD has both devised and accomplished what He spoke against the people of Babylon. 13You who dwell by many waters, rich in treasures, your end has come; the thread of your life is cut.… Jeremiah 51: 11-13
…16This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’ 17I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.’ But they answered, ‘We will not listen!’ 18Therefore hear, O nations, and learn, O congregations, what will happen to them.… Jeremiah 6: 16-18
1A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. 2In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.… Psalm 127: 1-2
Whenever you hear a word from My mouth - The warning is not mere words, but they are words from God so they precede decisive action. If the prophet warns it is of something imminent or certain to take place if measures are not taken.
You give him no warning - If you don't warn the wicked he will die regardless. If he is heading towards the pit and cannot see it, and you can from your vantage point, but you say nothing, well ignorance is not bliss. The cliff doesn't form because your eyes are on it, the danger in the path is not their because someone can see it. "That wicked person shall die for his iniquity", the wages of sin is death.
…11The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish. 12There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 13Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.… Proverbs 14: 11-13
…22And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.… Romans 3: 22-24
But his blood I will require at your hand - Now this gets debated much, how should we warn and who should we warn? Who am I responsible to tell? There are some things so blatant in Scripture, and remember ignorance is not bliss. I thought of this a lot, and I would much rather be liked in almost every sphere of influence, whether home, work or friends, but I cannot say I love them truly, by God's measure if I am unwilling to receive their displeasure. The more I read the Scriptures, the more I realized that I would not be innocent of the blood of my own children. Children are given to their parents, not the state, and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. How much of God's word had they heard from me, or from watching me, how important would they say God was to me? Did I bathe my wife in God's word? When someone ask me point blank, are you religious, are you a spiritual person, what do you believe about this matter? Am I ashamed of the gospel, or do I proclaim to them what God says? Do I hold my tongue because I really believe this is the way to unity? I want to be innocent of your blood, and I believe the Bible to be God's word and therefore above every thought or wish of man.
…5Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them. 6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.… Proverbs 22: 5-7
…3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6: 3-4
…8And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today? 9Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren. 10The day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, “Gather the people before Me to hear My words, so that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach them to their children.”… Deuteronomy 4: 8-10
…4Wrath is cruel and anger is like a flood, but who can withstand jealousy? 5Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed. 6The wounds of a friend are faithful, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.… Proverbs 27: 4-6
…25Now I know that none of you among whom I have preached the kingdom will see my face again. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.… Acts 20: 25-27
But you will have delivered your soul - All you had to do is say what God has said, warn them, and God will either change their heart or bring judgement, but you will be innocent. We can't honestly say we love God when we are unwilling to do as He ask, or that we love people if we are unwilling to tell them the truth. My unwillingness stems from pride, self worship, I want you to like me, and I just want everyone to "be happy." I don't want to be bothered or have to forgive, no matter how much I try to sell my complacency as compassion, as caring, and open minded, its really about what's convenient for me.
…9The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. 10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!… Proverbs 15: 9-11
1A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery. 2When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.… Proverbs 29: 1-2
Men tell us that our preaching should be positive and not negative, that we can preach the truth without attacking error. But if we follow that advice we shall have to close our Bible and desert its teachings. The New Testament is a polemic book almost from beginning to end. - J. Gresham Machen
The glory of the Lord stood there - This returned him to a prostrate position, and God once again has to stand him up. This awe is a gift, to see this is spectacular, for it was in times past concealed.
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.… Psalm 19:1-2
…19For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. 21For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.… Romans 1: 19-21
…5For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.… 2 Corinthians 4: 5-7
And I will make your tongue cling to the roof of your mouth - Ezekiel wasn't always under command to speak, but when the time came God would give him the words and this happened quite often. Sometimes our silence speaks volumes, and when a person is newly saved he or she will often find themselves pulling away from old friends, not because we no longer care, but because we can no longer walk that path. Tell the truth, but remember it is the Holy Spirit Who must convict and draw men to God. We are merely messengers, so tell the message, the whole message, leave nothing out, nor add anything that would alter it.
6After the Holy Spirit had prevented them from speaking the word in the province of Asia, they traveled through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. 7And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.… Acts 16: 6-8
Let him refuse - We don't get to pick the message, nor do we pick the response, but let God work that out and may we be faithful ministers to our families, friends and enemies.
…15For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”… Romans 9: 15-17
36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.… Matthew 10: 36-38
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