2. “Watchman to the House of Israel”

3. The Background of the Watchman
Because of rebellion against God and rampant idolatry, the northern 10 tribes of Israel were taken captive and destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 B.C.
Some 136 years later, the two southern tribes of Judah were taken in three deportations to Babylon for much the same reasons.
Nothing but the poorest of the poor were left behind in Jerusalem. Daniel and his three friends were among the first group taken.
Jeremiah ministered to those left behind in Jerusalem, and Daniel eventually prophesied for the rulers of Babylon.

4. The Background of the Watchman
But who would be with Judah in their captivity?
Would God abandon them as He had their northern neighbor Israel?
Enter, the Watchman-
Ezekiel 3:17
“Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.”

5. The Background of the Watchman
Ezekiel would be God’s prophet to the captives of Judah in Babylon as Jeremiah was to those left behind in Jerusalem, and as Daniel was the elite of Babylon. But Ezekiel’s role was very different…
Ezekiel was of the priestly line, 1:3
His name means “God Strengthens”.
While he spent his early years in Jerusalem, he was taken hostage to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 B.C. (Jerusalem did not actually fall until 586 B.C.)
There he settled in his own quarters in a village near Nippur, along the river Chebar, 3:15.24.

6. The Preparation of the Watchman
There were several things that God commanded or caused to prepare Ezekiel for the work of watchman:
>heavenly visions & words, 1:1-3ff
>direct commission from God, 2:1-7
>“eat this scroll” 2:8 - 3:3
>understand that you will be rejected, 3:4-7
>“I have made your face/forehead hard” 3:8-9
>“take into your heart all My words” 3:10
>Ezekiel lived among those for whom he was sent to be a “watchman” 3:15

7. The Charge of the Watchman
What was involved in the work of Ezekiel as a watchman to Israel?
“Watchmen” were stationed on the wall or tower of a city to watch for danger. Their responsibility was to sound the alarm to warn the city of impending danger so that preparations could be made. cf. 33:2-6
This was the work assigned to Ezekiel, 3:16-17.
It was serious work with serious responsibilities and serious consequences for failure, 3:18-21.
It wasn’t a fun job! cf. 2:6 > 3:22-27

8. The Charge of the Watchman
But it was a job Ezekiel, properly prepared, took to heart, 3:15-16!
Now, what are the lessons for us?
1. Rebellion brings consequences- Judah would spend 70 years in Babylonian captivity.
2. To do the work of God, one must be prepared.
3. It’s difficult work fraught with many frustrations- you can’t make others listen or obey.
4. But God judges based on faithful completion of the job, not results.