We are all Called to Be Watchmen

“‘So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me.” Ezekiel 33:7 NKJV

In a story titled “Runner calls 911 after 9-foot-9 alligator nears school bus pickup in Florida,” published by CBS12 Florida News last week, it was reported that:
— A large alligator got a little bit too close to a school bus pick-up on Thursday.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, a 9 foot 9 alligator wandered a little too close to a school bus pickup in Seffner near East Wheeler Road.

A nearby runner who was running near the area spotted the gator and quickly dialed 911.

Deputy body camera footage shows the trapper catching the thrashing gator, then pulling it into a cage.

The sheriff's office said a licensed trapper was able to remove the gator; fortunately, no one was injured.

And, you know, in the same way the runner who just happened to be in the area and, upon spotting danger, sounded the alarm by stopping to call  911, we, “as believers,” are called to stop and sound the spiritual alarm when we spot danger. In other words, we are called to be “a watchman” for God's people—remembering that, like the watchmen of old, we will be held accountable if we see “the sword” and don’t blow the trumpet. 

“‘Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’” Ezekiel 33:2-6

Spiritually speaking, that means you and I have been tasked with the mission of continuing the work of “the watchman,” who was called to not only warn wicked people of the judgment and destruction that would come their way unless they turned from their evil ways, but to urge believers to stay faithful and avoid falling into the ways of the wicked. 

To understand the enormity of the responsibility that was passed onto us, consider this… if the watchman failed to warn the people, he was personally responsible for the blood (lives) lost. However, if he faithfully blew the trumpet and the people did not repent, they would die in their sin, but the watchman would have delivered his own soul.

In this way, God emphasized individual responsibility, and made it clear that He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires their repentance. 

So, knowing that we, as watchmen, have a responsibility to sound the "trumpet" of God's Word to the whole community, let us never fail to share the Truth when we are called to speak my friend. After all, it’s our duty. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us your Word and your Spirit to help us discern the times and to detect impending danger when it’s present. Lord, help us to be bold when prompted to speak that we might fulfill our duty as a faithful watchmen, and in doing so, prevent anyone on our watch from going to hell. Give us an urgency to act today Lord, knowing that tomorrow may be too late. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!