Ezekiel 3:17
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I have made thee a watchman - The care and welfare of all this people I have laid on thee. Thou must watch for their safety, preach for their edification, and pray for their eternal welfare. And that thou mayest be successful, receive the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. God is particularly jealous lest any words but his own be taught for Divine doctrines. He will not have human creeds, no more than Traditions, taught instead of his own word. No word can be successful in the salvation of sinners but that which comes from God. Every minister of the Gospel should be familiar with his Maker by faith and prayer; God will then hold communion with his spirit; otherwise, what he preaches will be destitute of spirit and life, and his hackneyed texts and sermons, instead of being the bread from heaven, will be like the dry mouldy Gibeonitish crusts.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
watchman--Ezekiel alone, among the prophets, is called a "watchman," not merely to sympathize, but to give timely warning of danger to his people where none was suspected. Habakkuk (Hab 2:1) speaks of standing upon his "watch," but it was only in order to be on the lookout for the manifestation of God's power (so Isa 52:8; Isa 62:6); not as Ezekiel, to act as a watchman to others.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel,.... Not in a civil sense, a watchman of a town or city, or of the whole country, but in an ecclesiastical sense. So the Targum renders it by "a teacher"; whose business it was to instruct the people in divine things, to warn them of their evil ways, and of the danger they exposed them to; such were the prophets of old, and such are the ministers of the New Testament: the office is the same with that of bishops or overseers; and lies in watching over the souls of men, as shepherds over their flocks, that they go into right pastures, and not astray, and so preserves them from beasts of prey; and as watchmen of cities, to give the time of night, and, notice of approaching danger; to the discharge of which office are necessary quick sight, diligence in looking out, sobriety and vigilance, courage, constancy, and faithfulness: and they are "sons of men" that are put into this office, and not angels; sons of fallen Adam, sinful men; men subject to infirmity, weak, frail, mortal men, and oftentimes of a mean and low extraction, and greatly unworthy of so high an honour; but Christ counts them faithful, and puts them into this office; they are not made and constituted watchmen or ministers by themselves or by others, but by him; and they are given by him as such to the church of God: "son of man, I have given thee a watchman" (t), &c. they become watchmen through gifts bestowed upon them, qualifying them for this office; and they themselves are gifts to the churches over whom they are placed, signified by "the house of Israel"; for a church is a house of Christ's building, and where he dwells, and a family named of him, which he takes care of, and consists of Israelites indeed; therefore hear the word at my mouth; for, as the prophets of old, so the ministers of the Gospel are first to hear what Christ says; and then deliver out his doctrine, called the doctrine of Christ, and the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus. So the Targum, "and thou shalt receive the word from my Word;'' the word of prophecy, or the word of the Gospel, from Christ the essential Word; and give them warning from me; in his name and stead, and as from his mouth, to take care of sinning against him, dishonouring his name, and wounding their own souls; that they live soberly, righteously, and godly, and adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour; that they avoid all appearances of evil, and shun the company of wicked men; the house of Israel, or church of God, are to be warned to be careful who they take into their communion, and to exclude such that are bad in principle and practice; to beware of innovations in worship, and of false teachers and false doctrines; and that they do not forsake the word, worship, and ordinances of God's house, but fill up their places, and perform all duties incumbent on them. The Targum is, "and thou shalt warn them from sinning before me.'' (t) "speculatorem dedi", V. L. Polanus, Cocceius, Starckius. So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Ezekiel 3:17
A Watchman for Israel
16At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me, saying,17“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Sweden) God's Controversy With the Evangelical Church of Sweden
By David Wilkerson6.0K53:06Evangelical ChurchEZK 3:17AMO 3:1In this sermon, the preacher shares a story about a young man who was inspired by his missionary grandmother's faith but became disillusioned when she returned from the mission field and became consumed by television. The preacher highlights the negative impact of television and worldly distractions on the younger generation's faith and commitment to God. He emphasizes the need for revival and a return to fervent prayer and seeking God. The preacher also laments the loss of fire and passion in the church, calling for a revival of the prophetic and intercessory ministry.
(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:04EZK 3:1EZK 3:17EZK 4:12EZK 4:16ROM 8:141CO 11:31In this sermon, the preacher describes a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had of four living creatures. These creatures had the appearance of a man but each had four faces and four wings. They also had straight feet that sparkled like burnished brass. The preacher emphasizes that Ezekiel used human language to describe these extraordinary beings. The sermon also discusses how God commissioned Ezekiel to be a watchman for the house of Israel, to hear and give forth the word of God.
Ger-07 Ezekiel 37
By Art Katz1.6K1:04:43GermanEZK 3:14EZK 3:17LUK 15:25ROM 11:33EPH 3:21EPH 4:4In this sermon, the speaker discusses the need for believers to have a deeper understanding of the mystery of Israel and the Church. He emphasizes that many Christians have not yet been called to truly comprehend this mystery and have not experienced the hand of the Lord bringing them out of their comfort zones. The speaker highlights the importance of recognizing the valley of dry bones as a place of depression and the need for believers to be willing to confront the challenges and sufferings that come with aligning with God's purposes. He also mentions the current troubles faced by the nation of Israel and the need for divine intervention in dealing with the complex issues they face.
Ezekiel: His Call and Commission
By Stephen Kaung1.6K1:15:29EzekielEZK 1:1EZK 3:17EZK 33:8MAT 6:331CO 14:3REV 4:6REV 21:23In this sermon, Brother Stephen Kahn begins by setting the context of the book of Ezekiel, stating that it was written during the fifth year of King Jehoi-Ching's captivity. He describes how Ezekiel, a priest, received a vision from Jehovah by the river Chiba. The vision includes a stormy wind, fire, and four living creatures with the likeness of a man, each having four faces and four wings. These creatures also had straight feet like a cow's foot and sparkled like burnished brass. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolism in Ezekiel's vision and encourages further study of the book.
The Persistent Purpose of God - Part 7
By T. Austin-Sparks1.6K1:04:26EZK 2:1EZK 3:1EZK 3:17EZK 4:1EZK 16:1EZK 33:1JHN 20:25In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of a watchman's role in understanding and proclaiming God's message. He explains that there are three key elements to this role: presentation, representation, and declaration. The watchman must first understand God's idea, which is the manhood of a certain character. This idea is then represented in a tangible form, and from there, the message is preached. The speaker also highlights the responsibility of the watchman to discern the difference between the way of life and the way of death, and to clearly communicate this to others.
World-Wide Evangelization
By K.P. Yohannan1.6K45:45MissionsEZK 3:17In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the Bible as the map that guides our lives. He explains that the Old Testament talks about the creation of man and God's promise of a Messiah. The four gospels then show how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies and died on the cross. The speaker's main focus is on evangelism and reaching the lost world, stating that this should be the ultimate objective for all Christians.
New Wine and the Babylonian Vine - Part 1
By Roger Oakland1.1K51:39EZK 3:17JUD 1:3The video is a presentation on the topic of "New Wine and the Babylonian Vine, Last Day's Delusion in the Name of Christ." The speaker discusses how the information presented in the video is based on a book that is being translated into Russian and is said to be effective in helping people understand the current paradigm shift happening in society. The speaker mentions that they will be speaking at Calvary Chapel on various topics including terrorism, violence, spiritual deception, and the movement towards a one-world religion in the name of Christ. The speaker emphasizes the importance of testing everything they say with a biblical bias and warns that in the last days, there will be great deception and many will be deceived in the name of Christ.
God Sees and Waits for One Person to Stand in the Gap to Bless
By Keith Daniel9491:34:44PRO 6:23ISA 43:2EZK 3:17HEB 10:25HEB 13:17JAS 4:41JN 1:7This sermon emphasizes the importance of seeking God, warning against the dangers of cutting oneself off from communion with God and fellowship with other believers. It highlights the role of elders in watching over and warning the congregation, urging them to walk in the light and avoid worldly influences. The speaker shares personal stories and powerful illustrations to drive home the message of staying faithful and seeking God's guidance in all aspects of life.
Mark 16:15
By Chuck Smith1EvangelismMissionsEZK 3:17Chuck Smith emphasizes the church's supreme task of evangelizing the world, urging believers to expand their vision beyond their local communities and recognize the vastness of God's love for all nations. He highlights the importance of prioritizing missions and sacrificial giving, reminding the congregation that God's blessings flow when they embrace a missionary vision. Smith challenges the notion of self-importance within the church, illustrating the need to focus on the global mission field, which includes billions of souls in countries like China and India. He calls for a shift in priorities, encouraging members to invest more in missions than in personal comforts.
Picture of a Prophet
By Leonard Ravenhill0ProphecySpiritual LeadershipISA 58:1JER 1:5EZK 3:17AMO 8:11MAT 5:10LUK 6:26JHN 15:18ROM 12:22TI 4:21PE 4:14Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the role of the prophet as one who is fully accepted by God yet often rejected by society. He argues that true prophets challenge complacency and call for repentance, often facing hostility for their uncompromising messages. Ravenhill laments the current lack of prophets in the church, highlighting the urgent need for voices that speak truth in a time of moral and spiritual decline. He calls for men of God who are selfless, dedicated, and willing to confront the status quo, urging the church to seek out these prophetic figures to lead them back to God. Ultimately, he stresses that the greatest famine today is not of food, but of hearing the Word of God.
Luke 13:24
By Chuck Smith0SalvationRepentanceEZK 3:17LUK 13:24Chuck Smith emphasizes the urgency of striving to enter through the narrow gate as Jesus warns that many who believe they are saved may not be. He highlights the need for genuine effort in faith, cautioning against false assurances of salvation that can lead to eternal separation from God. Smith stresses that merely knowing scripture or participating in church activities is insufficient for salvation; true faith must be accompanied by a transformed life. He urges listeners to examine their lives and ensure they are not deceived into thinking they are right with God while living in sin. The sermon serves as a wake-up call to take the call to repentance seriously before it is too late.
Ezekiel 3:17
By Chuck Smith0Warning the WickedResponsibility of BelieversEZK 3:17MAT 11:28MAT 28:19MRK 16:15ACT 20:26ROM 10:141CO 9:162TI 4:2JAS 4:171PE 2:9Chuck Smith emphasizes the role of believers as watchmen, drawing from Ezekiel 3:17, where God calls Ezekiel to warn Israel of their wickedness. He highlights that the responsibility of Christians is to hear God's word and share it, not to convert others, as that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Smith encourages believers to recognize their duty to serve God and warn others of the consequences of sin, asserting that delivering the message is fulfilling their responsibility. He reassures that even if people mock or dismiss the warning, the truth will remain with them. Ultimately, serving God is not optional but a divine mandate for all Christians.
I Am Sent to Thee With Heavy Tidings
By F.B. Meyer0The Whole Counsel of GodSin and Consequences1KI 14:5JER 9:1EZK 3:17MAT 5:14LUK 19:10JHN 3:36ACT 20:27ROM 6:232CO 5:11HEB 10:27F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of delivering both the heavy and good tidings of God's message, as exemplified in the story of Jeroboam and the old prophet. He warns that sin is not merely a mistake but a crime against a holy God, deserving of serious consequences. Meyer calls for preachers to approach their ministry with tenderness and compassion, urging them to feel the weight of the message they deliver. He highlights the necessity of warning others about the dire consequences of sin while also sharing the hope of salvation. Ultimately, he encourages believers to declare the whole counsel of God without fear or hesitation.
"A Watchman"
By T. Austin-Sparks0The Role of the ChurchPurposeEZK 3:17EZK 33:1T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the critical role of purpose in human life, asserting that without a sense of purpose, individuals experience emptiness and despair. He highlights the biblical concept of the 'Watchman,' a role that the Church and its leaders must embody to guide and protect God's people, especially in times of spiritual decline. The Watchman is tasked with understanding and proclaiming God's eternal purpose, ensuring that the Church remains focused on its divine calling. Sparks warns against the dangers of losing sight of this purpose, as seen in Israel's history, and calls for a return to a vibrant, purpose-driven faith. Ultimately, he stresses that the Church must be vigilant and faithful in its mission to reflect Christ's significance in God's eternal plan.
Bible Survey - Ezekiel
By Peter Hammond0EZK 3:17EZK 18:20EZK 22:30EZK 33:2EZK 34:1EZK 36:25EZK 37:1JHN 7:37ROM 10:172TI 4:1Peter Hammond preaches on the life and prophecies of Ezekiel, a priestly prophet who ministered among the exiles in Babylon. Ezekiel's unique style of ministry involved using symbols, parables, and dramatic presentations to convey God's messages. He emphasized personal responsibility, individual consequences of disobedience, and the need for repentance and revival. Ezekiel's prophecies included warnings of judgement on Jerusalem, the restoration of Israel, and the coming of the Messiah, who would bring living waters and establish a new covenant.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
I have made thee a watchman - The care and welfare of all this people I have laid on thee. Thou must watch for their safety, preach for their edification, and pray for their eternal welfare. And that thou mayest be successful, receive the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. God is particularly jealous lest any words but his own be taught for Divine doctrines. He will not have human creeds, no more than Traditions, taught instead of his own word. No word can be successful in the salvation of sinners but that which comes from God. Every minister of the Gospel should be familiar with his Maker by faith and prayer; God will then hold communion with his spirit; otherwise, what he preaches will be destitute of spirit and life, and his hackneyed texts and sermons, instead of being the bread from heaven, will be like the dry mouldy Gibeonitish crusts.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
watchman--Ezekiel alone, among the prophets, is called a "watchman," not merely to sympathize, but to give timely warning of danger to his people where none was suspected. Habakkuk (Hab 2:1) speaks of standing upon his "watch," but it was only in order to be on the lookout for the manifestation of God's power (so Isa 52:8; Isa 62:6); not as Ezekiel, to act as a watchman to others.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel,.... Not in a civil sense, a watchman of a town or city, or of the whole country, but in an ecclesiastical sense. So the Targum renders it by "a teacher"; whose business it was to instruct the people in divine things, to warn them of their evil ways, and of the danger they exposed them to; such were the prophets of old, and such are the ministers of the New Testament: the office is the same with that of bishops or overseers; and lies in watching over the souls of men, as shepherds over their flocks, that they go into right pastures, and not astray, and so preserves them from beasts of prey; and as watchmen of cities, to give the time of night, and, notice of approaching danger; to the discharge of which office are necessary quick sight, diligence in looking out, sobriety and vigilance, courage, constancy, and faithfulness: and they are "sons of men" that are put into this office, and not angels; sons of fallen Adam, sinful men; men subject to infirmity, weak, frail, mortal men, and oftentimes of a mean and low extraction, and greatly unworthy of so high an honour; but Christ counts them faithful, and puts them into this office; they are not made and constituted watchmen or ministers by themselves or by others, but by him; and they are given by him as such to the church of God: "son of man, I have given thee a watchman" (t), &c. they become watchmen through gifts bestowed upon them, qualifying them for this office; and they themselves are gifts to the churches over whom they are placed, signified by "the house of Israel"; for a church is a house of Christ's building, and where he dwells, and a family named of him, which he takes care of, and consists of Israelites indeed; therefore hear the word at my mouth; for, as the prophets of old, so the ministers of the Gospel are first to hear what Christ says; and then deliver out his doctrine, called the doctrine of Christ, and the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus. So the Targum, "and thou shalt receive the word from my Word;'' the word of prophecy, or the word of the Gospel, from Christ the essential Word; and give them warning from me; in his name and stead, and as from his mouth, to take care of sinning against him, dishonouring his name, and wounding their own souls; that they live soberly, righteously, and godly, and adorn the doctrine of God their Saviour; that they avoid all appearances of evil, and shun the company of wicked men; the house of Israel, or church of God, are to be warned to be careful who they take into their communion, and to exclude such that are bad in principle and practice; to beware of innovations in worship, and of false teachers and false doctrines; and that they do not forsake the word, worship, and ordinances of God's house, but fill up their places, and perform all duties incumbent on them. The Targum is, "and thou shalt warn them from sinning before me.'' (t) "speculatorem dedi", V. L. Polanus, Cocceius, Starckius. So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.