In my regular Bible reading, I found myself reading from the Book of Ezekiel (620 BC-570 BC). It can be downright depressing.
Ezekiel speaks of the duplicitous leaders the nation of Israel had in his time, and the judgement on the nation that would surely follow because of them. Those leaders were saying one thing and doing another, they were in it for what they could get for themselves and not for “the people,” they appeared in public as righteous but in secret were evil idol worshippers, and much more. Sound familiar?
My reading companion is Matthew Henry the great 17th Century English Bible Commentator. His Commentary, has a knack for explaining troublesome things in a way I can understand.
In Chapter 33, Ezekiel uses an interesting term: Watchman!
Matthew writes about his thoughts on Ezekiel’s choice of words, and his further instructions, he says; “The office of a watchman [is] laid down, the trust reposed in him, the charge given him, and the conditions adjusted between him and those that employ him. It is supposed to be a public danger that gives occasion for the appointing of a watchman —”
One might ask why? Why would God’s chosen people need a watchman?
My friend Matthew helps us with the answer from the paragraph you just read. “It is supposed to be a public danger that gives occasion for the appointing of a watchman.” There always seems to be someone attacking Israel.
There were bad people out there who meant Israel harm. There still are. There are bad people out there who mean us harm. They have been around since day 1!
What was the watchman to do?
Matthew again helps us: “At such a time, when a country is in fear of a foreign invasion, that they may be informed of all the motions of the enemy, may not be surprised with an attack, but may have early notice of it, in order to their being at their arms and in readiness to give the invader a warm reception, they set a man of their coast, some likely person, that lives upon the borders of their country, where the threatened danger is expected, and is therefore well acquainted with all the avenues of it, and make him their watchman,” and let us know trouble is on the way.”
It’s common sense I think, or maybe it’s Battlefield 101.
The watchman has one job! To watch, and let us know when bad people are coming so we can give them that “warm reception.” “When a country is in fear of a foreign invasion, that they may be informed of all the motions of the enemy, may not be surprised with an attack, but may have early notice of it, in order to their being at their arms and in readiness to give the invader a warm reception.”
Ezekiel’s words are from around 600 BC. Matthew Henry’s words and insight come from 17th Century England. We are still dealing with some of the same bad people. It’s the bad people with swords Ezekiel said to watch for.
It seems we could use a watchman or two today.
But, I fear the time for watching may be past.