Read:Ezekiel 33

In the Old Testament, watchmen had a very important task to do. They would sit in a high tower on the wall of the city and keep watch. If they saw enemies anywhere on the horizon, they would immediately need to inform the people in the city so that they could be ready to defend themselves. If the watchmen fell asleep or were busy talking to someone else and didn’t see the enemies coming, the city could be attacked and destroyed.

Ezekiel was appointed by God to be a watchman as well. But he didn’t have to watch for physical enemies like the Assyrians or Amorites. Rather, he had to watch out for the spiritual enemies. He had to make sure that the people were serving God correctly, and he had to discipline them, reminding them to keep their hearts focused on the Lord.

Today the Lord gives the church watchmen as well. These watchmen are the ministers and elders in our church. They are God’s gift to keep the people of the church safe from the enemies.

Our enemies today are Satan, our own sinful flesh and the world around us. Every day these three enemies are trying to attack us. They are trying to make us sin against God. They are trying to make us love the things of the world instead of God. They are tempting us to be lazy, to not bother to read the Bible, to be greedy, to be nasty and say unkind things, to become addicted to things, including computer games. These enemies are working hard to take our attention away from God.

And so the office bearers, the elders, have to watch for these enemies and warn us when they see us being tempted, or when we take our focus off God and focus instead on ourselves or on things in the world. So, when the elders of the church come and visit you in your homes, listen to what they have to say. They are important watchmen given to you by the Lord.

Reflection with your child:

How are the elders like watchmen?

Source: Sermon by Rev. R. Aasman