In biblical times, the concept of a "look-out" or watchman was integral to the safety and security of cities and communities. The role of a look-out was to remain vigilant, often stationed on city walls or towers, to observe and report any approaching danger or significant events. This position was not only practical but also carried spiritual symbolism throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament References

The role of a look-out is prominently featured in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 18:24-27, a watchman is stationed on the city wall to observe the approach of messengers. The passage states, "While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone." This illustrates the watchman's duty to identify and report oncoming individuals, whether they be friend or foe.

In Isaiah 21:6-9, the prophet is instructed to set a watchman: "For this is what the Lord has said to me: 'Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.'" The watchman in this passage is tasked with observing the movements of Babylon, symbolizing the anticipation of God's judgment and the fulfillment of prophecy.

Ezekiel 33:1-7 further expands on the spiritual responsibility of a watchman. God appoints Ezekiel as a watchman for the house of Israel, emphasizing the duty to warn the people of impending judgment. The passage underscores the accountability of the watchman: "But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone's life, that person's life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood."

New Testament Application

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention look-outs in the same manner as the Old Testament, the concept of vigilance and spiritual watchfulness is prevalent. Jesus Himself admonishes His disciples to be watchful and alert. In Mark 13:33-37, He warns, "Be on your guard; be alert! You do not know when that time will come." This call to spiritual vigilance echoes the duties of a look-out, emphasizing the need for readiness in anticipation of Christ's return.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to maintain a watchful stance. In 1 Thessalonians 5:6, he writes, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." This exhortation to spiritual alertness aligns with the responsibilities of a look-out, urging Christians to be aware of spiritual dangers and to live in a state of readiness.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The role of a look-out in the Bible carries profound spiritual symbolism. It represents the call to vigilance, both in the physical and spiritual realms. The watchman’s duty to warn of impending danger parallels the responsibility of spiritual leaders and believers to warn others of spiritual peril and to proclaim the truth of God's Word.

In a broader sense, the concept of a look-out serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to be watchful, discerning, and prepared for the return of Christ. The biblical portrayal of look-outs underscores the importance of vigilance, accountability, and the faithful proclamation of God's message.1980. episkeptomai -- to inspect, by ext. to go to see
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: episkeptomai Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-skep'-
tom-ahee) Short Definition: I look upon, visit, look out, select Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1980.htm - 6k

4265. problepo -- to foresee
... provide. From pro and blepo; to look out beforehand, ie Furnish in advance -- provide.
see GREEK pro. see GREEK blepo. (problepsamenou) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4265.htm - 7k

4306. pronoeo -- to foresee
... From pro and noieo; to consider in advance, ie Look out for beforehand (actively,
by way of maintenance for others; middle voice by way of circumspection for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4306.htm - 7k

6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch
... root Definition to look out or about, spy, keep watch NASB Word Usage destined
(1), keep watch (3), lookout (1), looks well (1), spies (1), watch (3), watch ...
/hebrew/6822.htm - 6k

8259. shaqaph -- to overhang, look out or down
... 8258, 8259. shaqaph. 8260 . to overhang, look out or down. Transliteration:
shaqaph Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kaf') Short Definition: down. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/8259.htm - 6k

6836. tsippiyyah -- lookout post
... 6835, 6836. tsippiyyah. 6837 . lookout post. Transliteration: tsippiyyah
Phonetic Spelling: (tsef-ee-yaw') Short Definition: watching. ...
/hebrew/6836.htm - 6k

4707. mitspeh -- watchtower
... 4706, 4707. mitspeh. 4708 . watchtower. Transliteration: mitspeh Phonetic
Spelling: (mits-peh') Short Definition: lookout. Word ...
/hebrew/4707.htm - 6k

975. bachan -- a watchtower
... tower. From bachan (in the sense of keeping a look-out); a watch-tower -- tower.
see HEBREW bachan. 974, 975. bachan. 976 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/975.htm - 6k

8245. shaqad -- to watch, wake
... A primitive root; to be alert, ie Sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether
for good or ill) -- hasten, remain, wake, watch (for). 8244, 8245. ...
/hebrew/8245.htm - 6k

A Last Look-Out
... A Last Look-Out. A Sermon (No.989). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan
Tabernacle, Newington. "The time of my departure is at hand.""2 Timothy 4:6. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a last look-out.htm

Sorrowful, yet Always Rejoicing
... A man travelling in a railway train can choose which side of the carriage he will
look out at, either the one where the sunshine is falling full on the front ...
/.../sorrowful yet always rejoicing.htm

Letters of St. Bernard
... with all, all alike work together for good.[931] But as to the wish that you have
expressed that two of the brothers[932] should be sent to look out a place ...
/.../st bernard of clairvauxs life of st malachy of armagh/letters of st bernard.htm

To Defend the Weak, or to Help Strangers, or to Perform Similar ...
... that we should meet a guest with ready and free service, and look out for his ... He
carefully kept a lookout, so as to meet the stranger, and anticipate him, and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxi to defend the.htm

O Purest of Creatures
... Dark night hath come down on us Mother! And we Look out for thy shining, sweet Star
of the Sea! Look out for thy shining, sweet Star of the Sea! ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 79 o purest of.htm

Be not Conformed to this World. Romans 12:2.
... in the United States, and you will find that one maxim runs through the whole, to
"buy as cheap as you can, and sell as dear as you can, to look out for number ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be not conformed to this.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case ...
... (1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and merciful, who, being
like us in all things, except sin, doth sympathise with, and succour such ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvii how to make.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... ruled, nor does it overstep the limits laid down by philosophy, [2559] or involve
disgrace; any more than for an excellent sailor to become a lookout-man, and ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

The Hedge of Thorns and the Plain Way
... You look out and can only see the smallest possible dog, but he is sure that
it is a roaring lion and he must stay at home and go to bed. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the hedge of thorns and.htm

Looking at the Unseen
... he calls 'light' and 'but for a moment' is possible only when we open the shutter
of the dungeon which we fancied was the whole universe, and look out on to ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/looking at the unseen.htm

Lookout (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A person engaged in watching. 4. (n.) Object or duty of forethought and
care; responsibility. Multi-Version Concordance Lookout (4 Occurrences). ...
/l/lookout.htm - 7k

Look-out (2 Occurrences)
Look-out. Lookout, Look-out. Lookouts . Multi-Version Concordance Look-out
(2 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Lookout, Look-out. Lookouts . Reference Bible.
/l/look-out.htm - 7k

Look (1874 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, lookout
of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively. ...
/l/look.htm - 12k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Or Miz'peh, watch-tower; the look-out. (1.) A
place in Gilead, so named by Laban, who overtook Jacob at ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Nob (6 Occurrences)
... of the city. It is fittingly named "the look-out." Col. Conder states the
case for identifying this height with Mt. Scopus where ...
/n/nob.htm - 12k

Necessity (22 Occurrences)
... Acts 6:3 lookout, therefore, brethren, seven men of you who are well testified
of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may set over this necessity ...
/n/necessity.htm - 13k

Obstacles (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, lookout for those who are causing the divisions
and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned ...
/o/obstacles.htm - 7k

Opposition (22 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, lookout for those who are causing the divisions
and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned ...
/o/opposition.htm - 13k

Occasions (8 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, lookout for those who are causing the divisions
and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned ...
/o/occasions.htm - 8k

Learn (76 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, lookout for those who are causing the divisions
and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned ...
/l/learn.htm - 29k

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