God called Ezekiel to be the watchman for His people. "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. When I say to the wicked, 'O wicked man, you shall surely die!' and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul." {Ezekiel 33:7-9}
A watchman is: "a careful watcher; an outlooker; one who guards." Watchmen were stationed on city walls (2 Samuel 18:25; 2 Kings 9:18; Isaiah 62:6). Sometimes, they were stationed on watchtowers (2 Kings 19:17; 17:9). Other times, they might be set on hilltops (Jeremiah 31:6). In times of danger, they were to sound an alert to warn of any hostile actions that might threaten the security of the city or its people. Many times, these watchmen stood duty at night to warn against "sneak attacks" by the enemy. During Bible times, they even watched over fields and vineyards during harvest time. In all these different situations, their duties were the same -- to warn of impending danger.
What was the purpose of the task God gave Ezekiel? God's prophet was to send a word of warning to His people. The evil man needed to be warned about his conduct. Why? To save him from the terrible fate of dying in his iniquity -- and of being lost eternally. Surely, we can see the importance of this vital message.
God gave some other considerations. If Ezekiel did not warn the wicked man of his condition before God, the man would die in his sins, but with this stipulation -- God would require his blood at the watchman's hand! What did God mean by this? If one who understood the consequences of the wicked man's actions did not warn him of those consequences, both would be lost. What if he warned the wicked man, but he still did not change his course? Then the wicked man would be lost, but Ezekiel had saved his own soul because he did all he could - he warned him!
Today, much is written and spoken concerning brotherhood "watchdogs." Many take issue with those who speak words of warning to those who are teaching, advocating, or upholding others who are teaching, things that clearly are wrong. Many times, I have heard the phrase: "they believe they are the watchdogs for the brotherhood." Pray tell, is that not the role of every gospel preacher, and of every faithful child of God? What is the duty of one who knows God's law on a certain subject, toward another who is living contrary to that law? Is it not to warn of the impending danger of such conduct! If not, why not?
God wanted his "watchman" to sound the alarm. What's the purpose of having a watchman if he sees the danger, but remains silent toward those who are in danger? Recently, someone made the point: "what good is a watchdog that won't bark." To be sure, we had better be certain that, according to God's word, there is a real and present danger to the soul. God expected Ezekiel to sound the warning when he saw men's souls in eternal danger because of their sins. My studies confirm that God expects no less of His "watchmen" today! Sound the warning before it is too late to elicit response from those who are guilty!