Rev. Jeremiah Johnson, pastor at Glory of Christ Lutheran Church in Plymouth, MN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Ezekiel 33:1-33.
The LORD reminds Ezekiel of the call to be a faithful watchman, crying out the warning even to those who do not listen. The LORD does not desire such stubbornness, however. To His people who ask how they will live, He asks why they would die. The LORD desires that the wicked turn from evil to the righteousness that comes through faith. This happens, not due to the skill of the preacher, but due to the work of God through His Word. Ezekiel’s ministry comes to a major turning point when he receives word that the city of Jerusalem has been destroyed. Though this seems like a surprising moment for God’s kingdom to come, it is at this point that the LORD opens Ezekiel’s mouth for continued proclamation of repentance and faith. This turning point in history is a precursor to the way God brings His Kingdom in the cross of Jesus Christ so that the Church still proclaims Christ crucified for repentance and faith.
“The Faithful Watchman” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Ezekiel. Just when Ezekiel should have begun his service as priest in the temple in Jerusalem, the LORD called him to be a prophet in exile in Babylon. Through fantastic visions and attention-grabbing action prophecies, the prophet Ezekiel is a faithful watchman who proclaims the word of the LORD to bring people to repentance over their sins and to faith in the coming Savior, Jesus Christ, the glory of the LORD made flesh.
