Eze 3:16-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezek 3:16-19: 3:16-19 Ezekiel was called to be a watchman , a familiar image for Old Testament prophets (see Isa 56:10 ; Jer 6:17 ; Hos 9:8 ). The watchman was a lookout for the community. He was responsible for providing advance warning of approaching enemies so that the people could take refuge in time. In this case, the enemy they had to fear was not a human invader but God. As difficult as his task was, the blood of those he failed to warn would be on his head if he remained silent.

a3:16-19►

bIsa 56:10►

cJer 6:17►

dHos 9:8►

e3:20-21►

fMatt 13:3-9►

‏ Ezekiel 3:16-21

Summary for Ezek 3:16-19: 3:16-19 ^a Ezekiel was called to be a watchman, a familiar image for Old Testament prophets (see Isa 56:10 ^b; Jer 6:17 ^c; Hos 9:8 ^d). The watchman was a lookout for the community. He was responsible for providing advance warning of approaching enemies so that the people could take refuge in time. In this case, the enemy they had to fear was not a human invader but God. As difficult as his task was, the blood of those he failed to warn would be on his head if he remained silent.
Summary for Ezek 3:20-21: 3:20-21 ^e The prophet spoke to two classes of people, the righteous and the wicked. Ezekiel was to express his message indiscriminately, for both the righteous and the wicked would be judged on the basis of their response to his words (cp. Matt 13:3-9 ^f, 18-23 ^g). Those who heeded him would receive life; those who rejected his message would receive death, even if they had previously been righteous. Faith in the Lord’s word through his prophet was the sole criterion that divided those who would live from those who would die.