I am almost at the end of reading through the book of Ezekiel, and the reading has not been easy for me. The book is full of Ezekiel’s personal experiences, some of which were difficult. One passage that caught my eye was when his wife died, he was not permitted to mourn for her! Also, he shut himself up in his house, bound, and was smitten dumb. He lost his speech for a time, among other experiences. Using Ezekiel’s life as a sign to Israel, God issued words of judgment, but now after seven years, the time came to restore.

Ezekiel 33 marks the turn from judgment to restoration, and God recommissions Ezekiel by allowing him to speak to His people. He now could freely remind them of sins which had brought judgment and encourage them to strengthen their faith leading to restoration.

Ezekiel shares the prophecy of a watchman in Ezekiel 33:1-9. In those times, it was customary to place a watchman on the wall of the city to watch for potential attacks from an enemy. The watchman was responsible to report oncoming danger. Once he performed his assigned duty, it was up to the hearers to act on the report given. If the watchman did not report the danger, and the people were attacked, the fate of the people was on him. However, if the people failed to heed the warning of the watchman and did nothing to prepare for attack, the fate of the people was on themselves.

Ezekiel was appointed by God to be Israel’s watchman and warn them of coming danger.

“So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.” (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

God wanted His people to forsake their sin, seek forgiveness and return to Him. Ezekiel’s job was to give them God’s warning. Not doing so would be Ezekiel’s disobedience. In giving God’s warning, Ezekiel could not make the choice for the people to seek God’s forgiveness and restore their relationship with Him. That was their responsibility. Ignoring Ezekiel’s warning would be their disobedience.

As I read this passage and reflect on the B.L.E.S.S. training* we completed at church, how am I sharing with those around me about God’s great love and His gift of salvation through the death of His Son? What changes have I made to give them opportunity to choose Christ? My responsibility is to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) Am I obeying this command and looking for opportunities to share God’s love?

In what ways are you connecting with neighbors and friends who need Jesus?

How are you encouraging fellow believers in their faith?

The only choice we are responsible for is our own obedience to Him.

In His Love,

Susan

*Pastor Mark Ashley based his training off the book B.L.E.S.S. by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson.