Ezekiel 33:2–6

God opens the prophet's mouth again, because there is grace to announce. Yet the fitting introduction to that grace is the statement that God's righteous ways have not changed. The fall of the city shows the people now fully under judgment. Their false confidences are exposed.

It is God's way before drawing His sword to sound the trumpet... So before God destroyed the earth by water, He sounded the warning trumpet through Noah. In our own time, before the last stroke falls, His trumpet sounds in the gospel call. Will you not listen to it, and seek salvation while you may? "Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?" (Amos 3:6).

Notice first that men might appoint their own watchman, and normally would. But the people did not appoint the prophet. God appointed him on their behalf. If He had sent no word, the people would still be accountable. But God provided a watchman for those too careless and indifferent to look after their own interests, even the most important ones. And yet how this would increase the guilt of those who still refused the Voice that spoke to them! How often had He spoken of the sword He was bringing on the land! Yet they had taken no notice.

In the picture of a watchman, Ezekiel is set to warn the house of Israel. If any ignored the sound of the trumpet, their blood would be on their own head. If the watchman did not blow it, his blood should pay the penalty.

It is individual responsibility that now becomes the ruling principle, though this does not hinder, as we see, the call and duty of one to warn many. Such was the prophet's place.

The prophet's own responsibility remains unaffected, whatever the result or apparent lack of result... This is an important point for us at all times. We are so quick to argue from results alone. Results can never be a true guide, because they follow and do not come first. They cannot settle the question of duty for those who are to walk by faith and not by sight.

So he could say he was "innocent of the blood of all." He was like the faithful watchman of Ezekiel 33:4, whose duty was to warn against the approach of an enemy or the sword. If his warning went unheeded, the watchman himself was still clear. A solemn thought! For the watchman would open himself to harsh criticism, ridicule, contempt, and danger. But, the Apostle adds, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."

Under the figure of a watchman, Ezekiel is set to warn the house of Israel. If anyone ignored the sound of the trumpet, his blood would be on his own head; if the watchman did not blow it, his own blood would pay the penalty... Individual responsibility now becomes the ruling principle. This does not rule out the call and duty of one man to warn many. That was the prophet's place.

Notice first that men might naturally appoint a watchman for themselves, and normally would. But the prophet is not appointed by the people. God appoints him on their behalf. If there were no word from Him, the people would still be accountable. But God had provided a watchman for those too careless and indifferent to look after their own interests, even the most important ones. How much this would increase the guilt of those who still refused the Voice that spoke to them!

It is God's way, before drawing His sword, to sound the trumpet... So before God destroyed the earth by water, He sounded the warning trumpet through Noah. In our own time, before the last blow falls, His trumpet sounds in the gospel call. Will you not listen to it, and seek salvation while you may? "Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?" (Amos 3:6). Will you not be afraid, and flee from the wrath to come?

...set in charge as God's watchman for the people. His work is to put every individual soul on his own responsibility before God. The watchman's own responsibility stays the same, whatever the result or apparent lack of result... This is an important point for us at all times. We are so ready to argue from mere results, and results can never be our right guide. Results cannot come first; they follow. They cannot touch the question of duty for those who are to walk by faith and not by sight.

The book itself marks these two main divisions. In chapter 33:21 the prophet has just received a renewed call as watchman. Then, in the twelfth year of the captivity, a man who had escaped from Jerusalem came to him and said, "The city has been struck down." This determines the two parts.

This is a solemn consideration for both preachers and hearers. How necessary for the preacher to be plain and faithful, so that he may be clear from the blood of all men! And how necessary for the hearer to see that he does not neglect God's great salvation! For, as the apostle says, "How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" Thoughtless soul, be assured: escape is impossible!

It is God's way to sound the trumpet before drawing His sword… So before God destroyed the earth by water, He sounded the warning trumpet through Noah. And in our own time, before the last blow falls, His trumpet rings out in the gospel call. Will you not listen to it, and seek salvation while you still may? "Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?" (Amos 3:6). Will you not be afraid, and flee from the wrath to come?

Note this first. Men might naturally appoint a watchman for themselves, and normally they would. But the people did not appoint this prophet. God appointed him on their behalf. If there were no word from Him, the people's accountability would still remain. But God had provided a watchman for those too careless and indifferent to look after their own interests, even the most serious ones. How much this would increase the guilt of those who still refused the Voice that spoke to them!

Under the figure of a watchman, God sets Ezekiel to warn the house of Israel. If anyone ignored the sound of the trumpet, their blood would be on their own head. If the watchman did not blow it, his blood would pay the penalty.

It is individual responsibility that now becomes the ruling principle. This does not stop the call and duty of one person to warn many. That was the prophet's place.

We fear that relatively few realise the awful responsibility of hearing the gospel message again and again and rejecting it.

What is the blast the blessed Saviour blows on the gospel trumpet? "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Mark this, my friend. The jubilee trumpet sounds out its sweet, gracious note. Yet at the same time there is an undertone of warning, of coming judgment — "whoever does not believe will be condemned." Take heed to the warning note.

But does God send His gospel to people merely to place them under responsibility and increase their guilt? Far be the monstrous thought! He sends His gospel to the lost sinner so that he may be saved, for God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. All, therefore, who perish will have no one but themselves to blame.

God never forces His blessings on men, or treats them as machines… The gospel offer of salvation is made to all, and all are commanded to repent. But suppose a man shuts his ears to the call of grace on purpose, and turns his back on God's mercy. Then he has no one to blame but himself if he perishes wretchedly in his sins. All that divine love could give has been freely given for him. All that divine righteousness claimed has been freely offered. Everything that needed doing is fully done. What more can a man expect?

Ezekiel is pictured as a watchman, set to warn the house of Israel. If any ignored the sound of the trumpet, their blood would be on their own head. If the watchman did not blow it, his own blood would pay the penalty.

It is individual responsibility that becomes now the ruling principle, though this does not hinder, as we see, the call and duty of one to warn many. Such was the prophet's place.

Notice this first of all. Men would normally appoint a watchman for themselves. But the people did not appoint this prophet. God appointed him on their behalf. If there were no word from Him, the people would still be accountable. But God provided a watchman for those too careless and indifferent to look after their own interests, even the most important ones. How much this would increase the guilt of those who still refused the Voice that spoke to them! How often He had spoken of the sword He was bringing on the land! Yet they had paid no attention.

The watchman's own responsibility stays the same, whatever the result, or the apparent lack of result. Warned or unwarned, the wicked man who holds on to his wickedness will die... This is an important point for us at all times. We are so quick to argue from results alone. Results should never be our guide. They cannot come first; they only follow. And they cannot change the question of duty for those who are to walk by faith and not by sight.

So he could say that he was "clear of the blood of all men." He was like the faithful watchman of Ezekiel 33:4, whose duty was to warn of an approaching enemy or sword. If his warning went unheeded, the watchman himself was still clear. Solemn thought! The watchman would open himself up to harsh criticism, ridicule, contempt, and danger. But, the apostle adds, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."

It is God's way before drawing His sword to sound the trumpet. Turn to Ezekiel 33:4-5, and you will see this plainly... So before God destroyed the earth by water, He sounded the warning trumpet through Noah. And in our own time, before the last blow falls, His trumpet sounds out in the gospel call. Will you not heed it, and seek salvation while you may? "Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid?" (Amos 3:6). Will you not be afraid, and flee from the wrath to come?