Ezekiel 33:1-7:
Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman:
3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people;
4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul.
6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.
This week’s guiding principle is critical for the kind of ministry we are called to do. Each of us is on watch to give warning where the breech comes against the people of God. The instrument used in the context of this scripture is a trumpet. Please take note of the characteristics of the instrument. It is loud. We are to be loud so that all will hear the warning of danger ahead. It is unique in its tonal quality. There can be no mistaking of the origins of the sound and what it represents. The loud, sustained shrill of the trumpet is recognized as a warning. So our warning must be easily recognized as a God sent alert to ensure a quick and purposeful reaction to the blowing of the trumpet. Finally, note that the sound of the trumpet does not hurt or damage the listener’s ear. So our warning must be loud, shrill and distinguishable, be always in love so as not to damage the heart of those we warn. We are watchmen on the wall. It is our responsibility to lead by example first, word next and love always. Be blessed. I pray you received this lesson well.
-Pastor Jay