Ryan Downing
9/8/08

Ezekiel 3 describes how the prophet was appointed as a “watchman for the house of Israel” (verse 17). He was supposed to warn them when they were doing wrong in hopes that they would turn their lives around.

While many would agree this is a good thing to do, the stakes were much higher for Ezekiel. God told him that if he did not speak to them, he would be accountable for their destruction by sin (18). He absolutely needed to speak truth to people, otherwise he would be in violation of God’s commands.

This is a lot to require a person to do, but God upped the ante with his next statement to Ezekiel. He said in verse 20 that he also had to warn the righteous people when they do evil. This may sound like the same request as before, however it is much more difficult.

When people are doing wrong and they know they are doing wrong, enjoy doing wrong and plan on continuing to do wrong, telling them they are wrong is not much of a stretch. They know it and you know it.

But when you are dealing with “righteous” people, or ones who have done right, it is not always as easy. See, these people don’t want to hear that they are in sin. They have justified their actions in their minds and desire to keep their secret sins. When Ezekiel confronted them about sin, their reactions will probably ranged from “who are you to judge” or “what I am doing really is not sin because…” or “do you know who I am? I am the big shot at my church. How dare you accuse me”. Ezekiel probably met with much opposition to fulfill that request.

I believe that God has appointed all of us as watchmen for our country. And the same standard that Ezekiel had to live up to is required of us. We need to speak the truth to people – even Christians – and tell them when their lifestyle strays from what God wants. And if we do not do this, when we finally meet God one day, we will have to give account as to why we were not faithful.

So when you see things that are not right, take a stand against them, even if it means you become unpopular. None of the prophets were popular but they all served God and were able to live out his purpose for them.