Ezekiel 3:19
But if you warn a wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way, he will die in his iniquity, but you will have saved yourself.
But if you warn a wicked man
This phrase emphasizes the responsibility of the prophet or believer to deliver God's message. In the context of Ezekiel, God appointed him as a watchman for Israel, tasked with warning the people of impending judgment. The role of a watchman was crucial in ancient cities, where they would alert inhabitants of approaching danger. This duty parallels the Christian responsibility to share the gospel and warn others of spiritual peril.

and he does not turn from his wickedness and his wicked way
The concept of repentance is central here. The Hebrew word for "turn" (shuv) implies a complete change of direction, both morally and spiritually. The dual mention of "wickedness" and "wicked way" underscores the depth of the individual's sin, encompassing both actions and lifestyle. This reflects the biblical theme that true repentance involves a transformation of both heart and behavior, as seen in passages like Isaiah 55:7 and Acts 3:19.

he will die in his iniquity
This phrase highlights the consequence of unrepentant sin, which is spiritual death. The Bible consistently teaches that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23). In Ezekiel's context, this also had immediate implications, as the Israelites faced physical destruction and exile due to their persistent rebellion. Theologically, this points to the ultimate judgment awaiting those who reject God's offer of salvation.

but you will have saved yourself
Here, the focus shifts to the accountability of the messenger. Ezekiel's faithfulness in delivering God's warning absolves him of responsibility for the people's response. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to faithfully proclaim the truth, leaving the results to God (Acts 20:26-27). It underscores the importance of obedience to God's call, regardless of the outcome.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezekiel
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Known for his vivid visions and symbolic acts.

2. The Wicked
Represents individuals or groups living in sin, refusing to follow God's commandments, and facing divine judgment unless they repent.

3. God
The sovereign Lord who commissions Ezekiel to be a watchman, emphasizing His justice and mercy.

4. Israel
The nation to whom Ezekiel is sent, experiencing exile due to their disobedience, yet still under God's covenant promises.

5. Babylonian Exile
The historical context of Ezekiel's ministry, a period of punishment and reflection for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Responsibility of the Messenger
As believers, we are called to share God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable. Our duty is to warn others of the consequences of sin, trusting God with the results.

Personal Accountability
While we are responsible for delivering the message, each individual is accountable for their response. We must not carry the burden of others' choices but focus on our obedience to God's call.

The Urgency of Repentance
The passage underscores the urgency of turning from sin. We should live with an awareness of the eternal consequences of our actions and encourage others to do the same.

God's Justice and Mercy
This verse highlights God's justice in dealing with sin and His mercy in providing warnings. We should reflect these attributes in our interactions with others.

The Role of Community
Engaging with others in their spiritual journey is a communal responsibility. We are called to support, warn, and encourage one another in love.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Ezekiel's role as a watchman apply to modern-day Christians in their communities and workplaces?

2. In what ways can we effectively warn others about the consequences of sin while maintaining a spirit of love and grace?

3. Reflect on a time when you felt called to speak truth into someone's life. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith journey?

4. How can we balance the responsibility of warning others with the understanding that each person is accountable for their own choices?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are not only warning others but also examining our own lives for areas in need of repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezekiel 33:7-9
Reinforces the role of a watchman, emphasizing the responsibility to warn the wicked and the consequences of failing to do so.

Acts 20:26-27
Paul echoes a similar sentiment, declaring himself innocent of the blood of all men because he did not hesitate to proclaim the whole will of God.

Matthew 18:15-17
Jesus teaches about confronting sin within the community, highlighting the importance of warning and seeking repentance.

James 5:19-20
Encourages believers to turn sinners from their ways, promising that doing so will save them from death and cover a multitude of sins.
ResponsibilityJ.D. Davies Ezekiel 3:15-21
The Prophet a WatchmanW. Jones Ezekiel 3:16-21
The Watchman's OfficeJ.R. Thomson Ezekiel 3:17-19
Blood GuiltinessEzekiel 3:18-19
People
Ezekiel
Places
Chebar, Tel-abib
Topics
Danger, Death, Delivered, Die, Dieth, Doesn't, Evil, Evil-doer, Evil-doing, Hast, Iniquity, Overtake, Safe, Saved, Sin, Soul, Turn, Warn, Warned, Wicked, Wickedness, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezekiel 3:19

     9023   death, unbelievers

Ezekiel 3:16-19

     6027   sin, remedy for

Ezekiel 3:16-21

     5054   responsibility, examples

Ezekiel 3:17-19

     5978   warning

Ezekiel 3:17-20

     8426   evangelism, motivation

Ezekiel 3:17-21

     7773   prophets, role

Library
Cæsarius of Arles.
He was born in the district of Chalons-sur-Saone, A. D. 470. He seems to have been early awakened, by a pious education, to vital Christianity. When he was between seven and eight years old, it would often happen that he would give a portion of his clothes to the poor whom he met, and would say, when he came home, that he had been, constrained to do so. When yet a youth, he entered the celebrated convent on the island of Lerins, (Lerina,) in Provence, from which a spirit of deep and practical piety
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
BONIFACE, or Winfried, as they called him in Anglo-Saxon, born at Crediton in Devonshire, in 680, deserves to be honoured as the father of the German Church, although he was by no means the first who brought the seeds of the Gospel to Germany. Many had already laboured before him; but the efforts which had been made here and there did not suffice to secure the endurance of Christianity amongst the many perils to which it was exposed. Christianity needs to be linked with firm ecclesiastical institutions,
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Epistle xxxiv. To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse .
To Venantius, Ex-Monk, Patrician of Syracuse [1331] . Gregory to Venantius, &c. Many foolish men have supposed that, if I were advanced to the rank of the episcopate, I should decline to address thee, or to keep up communication with thee by letter. But this is not so; since I am compelled by the very necessity of my position not to hold my peace. For it is written, Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet (Isai. lviii. 1). And again it is written, I have given thee for a watchman
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Servant's Inflexible Resolve
'For the Lord God will help Me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set My face like a flint.'--ISAIAH l. 7. What a striking contrast between the tone of these words and of the preceding! There all is gentleness, docility, still communion, submission, patient endurance. Here all is energy and determination, resistance and martial vigour. It is like the contrast between a priest and a warrior. And that gentleness is the parent of this boldness. The same Will which is all submission
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration:
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

The Prophet Jonah.
It has been asserted without any sufficient reason, that Jonah is older than Hosea, Joel, Amos, and Obadiah,--that he is the oldest among the prophets whose written monuments have been preserved to us. The passage in 2 Kings xiv. 25, where it is said, that Jonah, the son of Amittai the prophet, prophesied to Jeroboam the happy success of his arms, and the restoration of the ancient boundaries of Israel, and that this prophecy was confirmed by the event, cannot decide in favour of this assertion,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezekiel
To a modern taste, Ezekiel does not appeal anything like so powerfully as Isaiah or Jeremiah. He has neither the majesty of the one nor the tenderness and passion of the other. There is much in him that is fantastic, and much that is ritualistic. His imaginations border sometimes on the grotesque and sometimes on the mechanical. Yet he is a historical figure of the first importance; it was very largely from him that Judaism received the ecclesiastical impulse by which for centuries it was powerfully
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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