Homilist Ezekiel 33:4-5 Then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet, and takes not warning; if the sword come, and take him away… I. THE ANALOGY BETWEEN THE WATCHMAN ON THE WALLS OF ZION AND THE PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. 1. The qualifications needed in a watchman: vigour, courage, intelligence, loyalty, fidelity. 2. The duties: vigilance, to watch; obedience, to warn. 3. The responsibilities: account of the service must be rendered to those who appointed him; safety of the city depended largely upon the faithful discharge of the watchman's duties. II. THE ANALOGY BETWEEN THE SOUND OF THE WATCHMAN'S TRUMPET AND THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL PREACHER. Here we are reminded of the trumpet call of alarm on the approach of danger in time of peril. The call was to be definite, distinct, emphatic, rousing. "Warning every man." The Gospel trumpet is to arrest the attention of men, call them to repent, to surrender, lay down their weapons of rebellion; and then, armed with the whole armour of God, go forth manfully to fight His battles. The Gospel message is a trumpet call to advance, and "no surrender"; it is never the call to retreat, or the proclaimer of defeat. There must be "no uncertain sound," for all truth is dogmatic, and ought to be definitely proclaimed. III. THE ANALOGY BETWEEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO HEARD THE WATCHMAN'S TRUMPET AND THOSE WHO HEAR THE SOUND OF THE GOSPEL. The watchman on the walls of Zion simply sounded the alarm; it was for the people to believe and obey. So the Gospel hearers of today are responsible for the effects produced upon their hearts and minds by the Gospel message. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. |
    |