3:16 - Watchman

Watchman (Hebrew Safa) - to keep watch

Ezekiel was a priest who later God called to be a prophet. God called Ezekiel to go to Israel and “speak my words to them.”

A watchman was a city employee appointed to be a lookout from some high vantage point such as a tower or the city wall. The safety of the entire population rested with the watchman. If the watchman failed at his job he was held accountable.

Ezekiel 3:16–17 NIV

16 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 people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Ezekiel is the only prophet in scripture actually called a watchman. His job (straight from the Lord) was to give a warning of danger to people who did not expect any. Much like those in our world today.

Lose - Lose

Ezekiel 3:18 NIV

18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.

If the watchman failed the assignment, the wicked would be judged and the and the watchman also held responsible for failing to exercise his duty.

Indifference that fails to save a life is comparable to negligent homicide. The watchman would be guilty of murder by his failure to fulfill his calling.

According to the law of retribution (), he was liable for the loss of life payable by the forfeit of his own.

Lose - Win

Ezekiel 3:19 NIV

19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.

Ezekiel 3:19

“wickedness” is speaking of what is in the heart. “evil ways” are referring to the external of the life.

Win - Win

Ezekiel 3:20–21 NIV

20 “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 21 But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

The New American Commentary: Ezekiel 4. Appointment as a Watchman (3:16–21)

The responsibility of a believer in Christ today to share the word of life, salvation, and forgiveness is no less awesome. Once the message of salvation is entrusted to us, we are responsible and accountable to share with those who are lost

Ezekiel

Even a righteous person will stumble and we have a responsibility to still point out the sin in their life.

Should we judge a fellow believer? If I am doing something that leads to death (sin), please tell me.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 20: Ezekiel Fourth Commission (Watchman for Israel)

But how does this responsibility involve the modern-day Christian? Much the same, indeed, as it involved Ezekiel. If a person is called by God to convey His word (witness) to any person or audience, he or she is not free to fail to fulfill the terms of the call. In this regard, the modern preacher, counselor, evangelist, missionary, teacher, writer, or the like, whether layperson or professional, is not so different from any person who takes on a responsible task. Failure to live up to the responsibility implied in the task is bound to do harm, and such failure ought to be called to account. Here we do not talk about ability but about willingness. Important jobs carry important responsibilities, duties that cannot be avoided.

As for those gifted and called to speak God’s Word, they must take refuge in the faithful fulfillment of their responsibility and not mistakenly depend for satisfaction on the results. Those who seek to persuade people should not forget that people, once informed, are responsible for their own choices. We cannot let the effectiveness of our lives be hampered by regret or self-condemnation for what others refuse to do with the Word of God we have faithfully conveyed to them.

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 20: Ezekiel Fourth Commission (Watchman for Israel)

But how does this responsibility involve the modern-day Christian? Much the same, indeed, as it involved Ezekiel. If a person is called by God to convey His word (witness) to any person or audience, he or she is not free to fail to fulfill the terms of the call. In this regard, the modern preacher, counselor, evangelist, missionary, teacher, writer, or the like, whether layperson or professional, is not so different from any person who takes on a responsible task. Failure to live up to the responsibility implied in the task is bound to do harm, and such failure ought to be called to account. Here we do not talk about ability but about willingness. Important jobs carry important responsibilities, duties that cannot be avoided.

As for those gifted and called to speak God’s Word, they must take refuge in the faithful fulfillment of their responsibility and not mistakenly depend for satisfaction on the results. Those who seek to persuade people should not forget that people, once informed, are responsible for their own choices. We cannot let the effectiveness of our lives be hampered by regret or self-condemnation for what others refuse to do with the Word of God we have faithfully conveyed to them.

The responsibility of a believer in Christ today to share the word of life, salvation, and forgiveness is no less awesome. Once the message of salvation is entrusted to us, we are responsible and accountable to share with those who are lost.