In biblical times, the role of a lookout was crucial for the safety and security of cities, armies, and individuals. A lookout, often stationed on a high vantage point such as a tower or a hill, was responsible for observing and reporting any approaching danger or significant events. This role is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, highlighting its importance in both physical and spiritual realms.

Old Testament References

1. Watchtowers and City Walls: Lookouts were commonly stationed on city walls and watchtowers to guard against enemy attacks. In 2 Kings 9:17 , we read, "Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he saw the company of Jehu as he came, and said, 'I see a company.' And Joram said, 'Take a horseman and send him to meet them, and let him say, "Is it peace?"'" This passage illustrates the lookout's role in early warning and communication.

2. Prophetic Imagery: The role of a lookout is also used metaphorically in the prophetic books. In Ezekiel 33:7 , God appoints Ezekiel as a spiritual watchman: "As for you, son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from Me." Here, the lookout symbolizes vigilance and responsibility in delivering God's messages.

3. Isaiah's Vision: In Isaiah 21:6 , the prophet is instructed, "For this is what the Lord says to me: 'Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees.'" This highlights the lookout's role in receiving and conveying divine revelations, emphasizing the importance of spiritual alertness.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not explicitly mention lookouts in the same military or civic sense as the Old Testament, the concept of vigilance and watchfulness is prevalent. Believers are often exhorted to be spiritually alert and prepared for the return of Christ.

1. Spiritual Watchfulness: In Mark 13:33-37 , Jesus warns His disciples, "Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come... What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Keep watch!'" This passage underscores the necessity of spiritual vigilance, akin to the role of a lookout.

2. Parables of Watchfulness: Jesus uses parables to teach about the importance of being watchful. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the wise virgins are prepared and watchful for the bridegroom's arrival, illustrating the need for readiness and alertness in the Christian life.

Symbolism and Application

The lookout serves as a powerful symbol of vigilance, responsibility, and readiness. In a spiritual sense, believers are called to be watchful, discerning the times and remaining steadfast in faith. The lookout's role in ancient times as a guardian and messenger parallels the Christian duty to be alert to spiritual dangers and to proclaim the truth of the Gospel.

The concept of a lookout, both in its literal and metaphorical applications, serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in safeguarding one's faith and community. Whether standing on a physical tower or maintaining spiritual alertness, the lookout's role is integral to the biblical narrative and the life of faith.1. (n.) A careful looking or watching for any object or event.

2. (n.) The place from which such observation is made.

3. (n.) A person engaged in watching.

4. (n.) Object or duty of forethought and care; responsibility.

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

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

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

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 Waves of Time
... There is one point, as it were, upon the road where we may catch a view far away
into the distance, and, if we are not on the lookout when we come there, we ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the waves of time.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... race. The thoughtful Bible student comes to have a broad outlook, as well
as a close lookout about his own front and back doors. ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Grundtvig's Hymns
... mortal. "The skjald is," he says, "the chosen lookout of life who must reveal
from his mountain what he sees at life's deep fountain. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fifteen grundtvigs hymns.htm

Chapter xix
... Lot's presence here will hardly be accounted for on the assumption that he was on
the lookout for guests in order to afford his hospitality an opportunity to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xix.htm

A Tricky Ox
... slipped out like old Bob. You must be on the lookout for boys like that.
Don't be afraid to be called a coward by them. Don't let them ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/a tricky ox.htm

On Deck
... The lesson that I want to draw is this: That you must be on the lookout and do well
the things that come to you each day, for who knows but you may be on deck ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/on deck.htm

"Do Men Gather Grapes of Thorns?"
... have found, or will find work for the police, after going to seek grapes where thorns
grow: and then others, like the writer, who were on the lookout for a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxviii do men gather grapes.htm

A Sermon on the Boat Race.
... There are not a few who read our paper, who will be on the lookout to know
as soon as possible, whether. DARK OR LIGHT BLUE. has won. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxi a sermon on the.htm

The Enemy
... drawn swords" (Psa.55:21). Let the student be on the lookout for passages
in the Old Testament which make mention of the Enemy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/9 the enemy.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

Looking-glasses (2 Occurrences)
Looking-glasses. Lookingglasses, Looking-glasses. Lookout . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (BBE). Lookingglasses, Looking-glasses. Lookout . Reference Bible
/l/looking-glasses.htm - 7k

Watch (203 Occurrences)
... keep vigil. 9. (vi) To be attentive or vigilant; to give heed; to be on
the lookout; to keep guard; to act as sentinel. 10. (vi) To ...
/w/watch.htm - 40k

Mouse (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To watch for and catch mice. 8. (vi) To watch for or pursue anything
in a sly manner; to pry about, on the lookout for something. ...
/m/mouse.htm - 10k

Prospect (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a landscape; hence, a
sketch of a landscape. 3. (n.) A position affording a fine view; a lookout. ...
/p/prospect.htm - 10k

Stem (18 Occurrences)
... upper end. Hence, the forward part of a vessel; the bow. 8. (n.) Fig.: An
advanced or leading position; the lookout. 9. (n.) Anything ...
/s/stem.htm - 13k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... He had not only to keep a sharp lookout for thieves, but on more than one occasion
had with no other weapon than his shepherd's club or staff to rescue a lamb ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

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