The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 1 — Section 77

of a foe. 3. Strong to direct, as the hand of the helmsman may steer tho ship upon her course. 4. Strong to c°Mei· and encourage, as the hand of the husband may grasp that of the wife, t-0 comfort and to animate with courage, in times of common difficulty, i;;orrow, and distress. 5. Strnng t-0 save, as the hand of a deliverer may rescue a drowning form from raging waterfloods.-T. ,ers. 17-Hl.-.Tlw watchman's office. Every. servant of God conceives his sorvico in his own manner, under the special light of his own experience and character. Ezl'kiel e,idently felt the peculiar solemnity of his position among the children of the Captivity, and e'l'"idently was consumed by a desire to discharge his difficult and painful duty with fidelity and efficiency. Hence his habit of regarding himself, as indeed the Di\"ine Spirit prompted him to do, as a watchman set to admonish and protect the Hebrew exiles in the East. In many respects this figure sets forth the vocation of every true minister of Christ called upon to watch for souls as one who must give account unto God. L TrrE -WATCHMAN'S COMMISSION. The spiritual guardian and keeper does not undertake this duty at the suggestion of his own thoughts and inclinations• he is called to it by the voice of God himself. The word of the Lord comes unto hir:i. He is stationed where he stands by Divine authority. He has to listen for the DivillD voice, to give heed to every direction, to be ready to utter such messaaes 0 as he may receive from Heaven. II. THE WATCIIMAN's DUTY. This is, generally, to testify to man accordino- to the instructions he receives. He has to hear in order that he may speak, to t;ak~ in the truth in order tbat he may give it forth. It is, therefore, not enough that he be attentive and intelligent; he must impart the tidings, the message, which he receives. He has a ministry, a trust, to fulfil for the benefit of his fellow-men-he has to seek to bring them into con~cious relations with the Father of spiiits. III. THE WATCHMAN'S SPECIAL OFFICE FOB THE REBELLIOUS. Watching for men, the spiritual guardian is bound t-0 remember the special character of those over whom he is placed. He is not simply an instructor entrusted with the duty of declaring truth, of inculcating lessons and precepts. He has to deal with "a rebellious house." Hence one great function of the watchman is to warn. Throughout this book the ~reatest stress is laid upon this duty. "Warn them from me!" is the admonition of God to the faithful watchman. The people are in danger from manifold temptations; and they have to be put upon their guard against the spiritual perils by which they are threatened. The wicked are to be warned, that they may repent; the righteous have to be warned, lest they fall from their righteousness. IV. THE WATCHMAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. The office thus described is indeed an honourable one; but it is difficult and responsible. Much depends upon the way in which the duty is discharged; the safety of the people and the acceptance of the guardian are both alike at stake. 1. The watchman's fidelity will be rewarded. If he fulfil bis duty, he will deliver his soul, he will be approved and recompensed, promoted and honoured. 2. The watchman's unfaithfulness will be punished. If he do not his duty, others will suffer, but he himself will not escape just retribution. The blood of the lost will be required at his hand. APPLICATION. 1. Here is a lesson for those who are appointed to watch for souls. Their ears must be open to receive the Word of the Lord; their lips must be open to speak tbat Word. 2. Here is a lesson for those who enjoy the benefit of spiritual ministrations. It is not only an awful and responsible duty to watch; it is an awful and responsible privilege to listen to the watchman's warning. If the preacher is accountable for his utterances, the hearer is accountable for the spirit in which ho receives those utterances. Take heed what, and how, you hear !-T. Ycrs. 26, 27.-JJumlmess and speech. The wise man has said, "There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." There are those who speak when they would do well to hold their peace;. there are those who are speechless when it becomes them to utter their mind with boldness. A prophet is emphatically one who speaks for God; a silent prophet is a paradox. Yet, as Ezekiel was, of all his order, the one whooe JIJi.nistry was especially a ministry of symboJ, it is only in harmony with his peculiar on, m. 1-27.] THE BOOK O]j' THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 63