September 1st~Watchmen on the Wall

Ezekiel 32:17-33:20

Jeremiah 52:28-30

Psalm 137


1 Chronicles 4:24-5:17

We covered several different things, including a prophecy of Egypt’s judgment and destruction, a personal message to Ezekiel, a record of the captives taken in the three deportations, a psalm written by those in exile, and an account of the descendants of the sons of Israel. Regarding the number of captives taken to Babylon, Jeremiah’s records are different from those listed in 2 Kings 24, perhaps because he counted only males (like in the Exodus).

I found it interesting that Jeremiah recorded the exact numbers at all and that the numbers were so small. Here is the remnant that the Lord would use to rebuild His nation. Though they were few in number, after seventy years, they would multiply; and, upon their return, they would be a mighty host. For example, Ezra records later that over 42,000 Jews came home in the first return from Babylon (Ezra 2).

I was also challenged by God’s personal message to Ezekiel. “When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the warning but wouldn’t listen, so the responsibility is theirs. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, then he is responsible for their deaths. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman accountable. Now, Son of Man, I am making you a watchman for the people” (33:1-9).

Obviously, the watchman held a very important position in society. The lives of those living in a city were in his hands. If he did not do his job well, then many people’s lives were at stake. Therefore, a watchman could never fall asleep on the wall. He had to stay alert at all times. He could not get distracted from his duty but rather he had to stay focused on protecting the people in his care; and, at the first sighting of an enemy, he must sound the alarm so that others could have ample warning to flee to safety.

Daily Reflection

In one sense or another, we are all watchmen on the wall. Parents protect their children, pastors or elders protect their congregations, leaders protect their followers, and friends protect their friends. You get the idea. Peter wrote, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the Devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Who are those for which you are a watchman?

What are some of the duties you have as a watchman for these people?

Evaluate your performance as a watchman on the wall. What are you doing well? In what areas do you need to improve?

BiAY.org

Day 244 — 121 Days to Go