After pronouncing judgments against the nations, the Lord spoke to Ezekiel. He said that if a people should appoint a watchman, and that watchman does his job and alerts the people of approaching danger, then it is the people who are accountable to heed the warning. But if the watchman sees the danger, yet remains silent, God will hold him accountable for the blood of the people. The Lord had made Ezekiel such a watchman for the people of Israel. He was to warn them to repent before God and turn from their wicked ways. God judges sin. Ezekiel was a watchman who was responsible for the message of repentance and life during a wicked time in Israel.

The message God gave to the people was that their prior righteousness counted for nothing if they turned away from the Lord. Similarly, their previous wickedness would be forgiven if they turned to the Lord. It is God alone who is just. Self-righteousness is unjust because it is godless. God’s justice forgives sin and gives life.
Application: Lord, use me as a watchman today. Bless me to bring others to turn to you and receive God’s justice, righteousness, and life.
One Word: A watchman for God’s justice