What is a watchman? The best way, I believe, to describe a watchman is in the time of castles and kings. During that time an attack could happen at any given moment. So a soldier is stationed on towers, or walls, hills, or mountains. This solider is to stand watch and look out for any dangers that pose a threat to his fellow soldiers, or to his nation. He is to observe, to keep guard, and to keep watch. These soldiers were known as watchman, and these watchmen had much responsibility because they were watching over lives. 

Now, when a watchman saw an attack or danger coming, he was not silent but frantic to let those around him know what was coming. The watchman warned the people because the responsibility was given to him. You see, if he didn’t warn those around him about what was coming, he was responsible for what fell upon them. If he did warn, and the watchman did his job while the people did nothing, then the responsibility of their lives are on them. Now that we know what a watchman is and what his responsibility was, does it sound familiar to you? I ask this question because, are we not fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? We are, and you can find proof of that in Galatians 3:27-29 (KJV):

“27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Take note how we are all one seed.)

Are we not set as watchman over are brethren and those around us? YES! The words of the prophet Ezekiel declare the solemn responsibility that we have, and it’s found in Ezekiel 33:7-9 (KJV):

“7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”

Just like the watchman in the days of castles and kings, the responsibility and the duty are the same for us. We are to warn the people about what is coming (Ezekiel 3:17). Now truly ask yourself, “Am I being a watchman?” If so, are you being a watchman that is described in Ezekiel 33:7-9? Remember that the harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). I pray that we all seek to be watchman, and to be laborers for our Father in heaven and for His only begotten son and our savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

By Wesley Vital