“And he said to me, ‘Son of man, eat whatever you find here. Eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel … ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me’” Ezekiel 3:1,17.

Living among his fellow countrymen in exile, Ezekiel was divinely called to serve as a prophet. He was called to receive and internalize God’s word, speak that word, and vigilantly stand as a watchmen to warn the people.

We share in the same role. We too are living in a land of exile; a world system foreign to the kingdom of God to which we belong. We must “eat this scroll”; read, study, and internalize the authoritative word of God. This word in our mouth is the only message worth sharing, because it is God’s personal, applicable, and effective truth (2 Timothy 3:16).

We are the watchman on the wall. God’s word within qualifies us to be on guard duty on behalf of a people lacking insight and perspective. It is their choice as to whether to listen and respond, but they cannot do so if they have not heard the clarion call from us.

Events in this country and the world seem to be unfolding at a rapid rate. Wisdom and discernment are especially high priorities as we seek insight into the significance of current events (“you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand” Romans 13:11-12).

Like the Israelites of Ezekiel’s day, those around us may “not be willing to listen to you, since they are not willing to listen to Me” (Ezekiel 3:7). Lack of receptivity does not excuse urgent proclamation and warning with the word. Like Ezekiel, we have a duty to discharge.

The call and commission of Ezekiel seems especially relevant and applicable to us, the people of God today. May we be eager to receive and proclaim His truth, and urgently challenge and warn His people, while there is yet time.

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