The WatchmanSample

What is a watchman?

In Biblical times, a watchman was someone positioned in a high tower or place so they could observe things from a far distance away and then notify others. Commonly they would warn of invading armies, signal when the native army was coming home, and even announce the start of a new day.

In modern times, you can find their equivalents in the military on forward operating bases. They could be snipers setup in a high position to guard the entrance to the base, or high altitude drones providing surveillance.

In either case the role of a watchman is clear - provide protection and information through early warning.

Every believer is called to be a watchman in one way or another when it comes to sharing the gospel with those in the world that don’t know Jesus. Then there are those who God calls to an even more focused degree of being watchmen within the community of believers. Who will remind believers to repent and return to their first love? Who will warn them of heresy and false doctrine on the rise? Who will call out those within the church community who prey on the vulnerable and make merchandise of people? These are the roles of the watchmen.

All through the Bible we see examples of God using His prophets as watchmen to warn His people. The prophets’ job as watchmen was to urge God’s people to live in obedience to Him and warn them of the danger involved in turning away. As watchmen, the prophets were also called to warn wicked people of the judgment and destruction that would come their way unless they turned from their evil ways and turned to the Lord.

Let’s take a look at Ezekiel as a tremendous example of this.