The Watchman's Message

This week we will look at the section of Ezekiel from 3:16-5:17. In the first part of this passage the Lord appoints Ezekiel as a 'watchman' for the house of Israel. The subsequent sections contain instructions for Ezekiel to follow in a series of peculiar, prophetic 'sign acts'. As we heard last week though, whatever the task, and whatever the response from the people, Ezekiel is simply to be obedient to the Lord and proclaim his word as it is given. As watchman though, an extra motivation is added - if he fails to warn a sinner that his rebellion will lead to death, and that sinner goes on in sin and dies for it, his blood will be on Ezekiel's hands.
These chapters provide a stark reminder of the seriousness of sin, and of the dire need for us all to hear God's word concerning sin, and the judgment it attracts - "You shall surely die." This is no different in the New Testament, and for us today - "For the wages of sin is death." But thanks be to God for his free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This free gift should not cause us to take sin lightly at all, nor to presume upon God's grace. Instead, it reveals to us all the more the seriousness of our sin and the judgment we deserve, but which Christ himself bore on the cross.