In this issue I would like to continue looking at the watchman described in the Holy Scriptures. The watchman must learn to endure hardship and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 130:5-6 5I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. 6My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
The watchman endures the hardship and uncertainties of the night, as he looks for the morning, anxiously waiting for his God.
By way of review, we saw that a watchman was a literal person with literal duties. Those who usually stood as a watchman were soldiers, and if they failed or slept on their watch, their life would be required of them. Sometimes a citizen acted as a watchman, and they were relieved by turns.
Sometimes they were stationed on a watchtower. Some of these watch stations were low to the ground, others were tall. Sometimes they were stationed on the walls of the cities. Sometimes the watchman patrolled the city streets. At times they watched around the temple in Jerusalem on special occasions.
Sometimes it was necessary to increase the watch. (Be on red alert) We saw that a watchman is vigilant day and night. A watchman is honest and unbiased in what he sees; he calls it like he sees it. A watchman reports the approach of all strangers. A watchman needs God's protection and guidance. A watchman sounds the alarm at the approach of an enemy. If a watchman neglected to give warning, he was punished with death. We saw that a watchman is questioned by people he doesn't know. A watchman reports to his leadership. A watchman also brings news of rejoicing and they see things before others.
You see if the terrorist threats made against our country were taken seriously, 9/11 could have been avoided. But because our government refused to think outside of their box (no one would commit suicide on an airplane) horror, panic and death struck. The failure of our leadership to take this credible threat seriously resulted in the deadliest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor.
Today if the church will not listen to the voice of God's watchmen, spiritually 9/11 will repeat itself in the lives of the believers who ignore God's warning. You be the judge where you stand with the Word of God that has been delivered unto you. Let's take some time now and begin to look at the spiritual watchmen of God's Word, and his responsibilities to God and the church.
A minister of God's Word is called to be a watchman. His first obligation is to uphold the integrity and accuracy of God's supreme Word. If the minister habitually continues to compromise on the integrity and accuracy of God's Word you no longer have God's blessing on the man or his work.
NIV Psalm 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
Here we see two points.
1. Those who usually stood as a watchmen were soldiers 2. If they failed (or slept) in their watch their life would be required of them.
The first priority of the minister is to love and serve the Lord God with all his heart, mind, and strength. This places the minister in a potentially dangerous environment. Unless the minister continues to seek the Lord daily by study, prayer and purity of heart, he will fall into the snare of the devil. Before long he will be operating by his own power or Satan.
Isaiah 50:11 Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.
This scripture is referring to the oriental custom of using a vine to light your path. In the East in the early morning a vine would be lit and spun around to keep it glowing. The soft red embers would give off a gentle glow lighting the dark path dimly. This was the best they had at the time. What God was saying was that they are walking in the light of their own works. God wanted them to look to him so he could direct their path; however, they decided to walk in their dim light and not God's abundance. This is why they would lie down in sorrow.
John 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.
God does not honor people because they are committed to their ministry. God does not honor people who are faithful to their ministry. God does not honor people who are sincere, sold out or dedicated to their ministry. God honors his Word and His son. Only when we follow and serve Jesus Christ according to the Word can we accept God's honor.
NIV Isaiah 62:6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest,John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
When a leader walks defiantly against God's will, he will begin to seek his own pleasure and purposes. God warns us of the watchman who walks this way.
Isaiah 56:10-12 10His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. 12Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
When a minister strays off the course of God's Word, God's people are the ones who suffer. The minister who once watched for the people now begins to abuse them. Fear begins to fill the hearts of good sincere people and they respond by following and worshiping the minister in place of God. Their misplaced loyalty causes them to lie to themselves, each other and to the Lord.
Isaiah 57:11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?
The word afraid means fear, the next word feared means respect, to be spellbound, or to be held in awe by someone. The people didn't want to look like they denied God so when they were confronted they lied to him. They didn't remember God anymore; no one took God to heart.
This is what happens when a watchman, a minister goes astray. The people who sit under his ministry usually follow silently. They watch and wait for the Lord to step in and judge. If God does not act immediately they begin to purpose in their hearts no offence was committed, and the leader continues to lead a sinful lifestyle.
NAU Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil.
The New Living is a little clearer.
NLT Ecclesiastes 8:11 When a crime is not punished, people feel it is safe to do wrong.
What people sometimes miss is the fact that God is merciful and slow to anger. He gives his children an over abundance of time and warnings to repent. He does the same with his ministers.
Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
In next month's issue we will continue to examine Isaiah 57 and why God's people ignored the Lord of host. We will learn of God's mercy and grace but we will also see that God will bring judgment if we continually disrespect and willfully disobey him.
To be continued …ÿ