Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman of the house of Israel: so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18) When I say to the wicked man, ÔYou will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. 19) But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
The Lord told Ezekiel that he was to be a watchman of the house of Israel. In Ezekiel’s day a watchman was the person who stood watch over the city. At a time when cities were surrounded by a large wall and there was a threat of an enemy invasion, a man would be placed on top of the city walls and would scan the horizon for any signs of the approaching enemy. If he saw the enemy approaching he was to warn the inhabitants of the city. If he failed to warn them and the city was attacked, he would lose his own life for neglecting his duty.
The Lord has called you to be his watchman. In calling you, the Lord reminds you that you are merely a Son of man. The Lord might have used angels to be his watchmen. But he has rather chosen human beings for his great work. The Lord is aware of your gifts and weaknesses. He is not asking you to do something that is beyond the gifts he has given you. The work he is giving you to do is work for which he has given you the gifts. The Lord also knows your weaknesses and he will supply the strength that you will need for your calling.
Ezekiel’s task was not an easy one. The Lord warned him that his message will not always be heeded. People would not always listen to the Lord’s message as spoken by Ezekiel, but the Lord promised him, Whether they listen or fail to listen they will know that a prophet has been among them. [Ezekiel 2:5]
The same is true for YOU and ME.
The Lord told Ezekiel
As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. [Ezekiel 33:11]The Lord does not delight in seeing the sinner spending eternity in hell. He would rather have the sinner repent of his sin, accept the forgiveness obtained by Jesus and thus be saved. For this reason the Lord wants his watchmen to warn people.
You cannot be held accountable for the response of the ones warned, but you are responsible to warn them of the impending eternal threat.
OR their blood will be on your hands. He may even put to death the call on your life.
I don't think there is any wiggle room on that. Watchmen, Watch.
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