By Andrew Williams
Series: The Year of the Prophet- Month 1: The Anatomy of a Prophet
Week 4: The Nature and Responsibility of the Office
Anchor Scripture: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me.” — Ezekiel 3:17 (NKJV)
The Teaching
As we begin our fourth week, we move into the functional responsibilities of the office. One of the most critical metaphors for the prophet is The Watchman. In the ancient world, the watchman’s job was a matter of life and death. While the city slept, the watchman stood on the highest part of the wall, peering into the distance to detect any movement—whether it was an approaching enemy, a messenger, or a shift in the weather.
The Hebrew word for watchman is Tsopheh, which carries the idea of leaning forward and peering into the distance. It suggests a high degree of focus and intentionality. The Prophet as a Watchman is not just a casual observer; they are a sentinel. Their primary responsibility is alertness. They are positioned by God on a “spiritual wall” to see things that the people inside the city cannot see because they are busy with the mundane tasks of life.
To be a watchman means you must live with a certain level of detachment from the “crowd.” You cannot see the horizon if you are always looking at the floor. You are called to stay awake while others sleep, to be sober while others are intoxicated by the world, and to hear the “word from God’s mouth” so that you can sound the alarm before the crisis arrives. The Prophet does not just report the news; they report the “approaching” news.
Prophetic Insight
A watchman without a “high place” is useless. If you are called to this office, God will often call you into seasons of isolation or “climbing” where you must pull away from the opinions of men to get a clear view of the spiritual landscape. This “high place” is the place of prayer. From this vantage point, you will see the “sword” of the enemy coming before it strikes. Never apologize for your alertness. What others call “paranoia” or “negativity,” God calls “vigilance.” Your job is not to make people feel comfortable; your job is to keep them safe by telling them the truth about what is coming.
The Activation
Practice “Spiritual Reconnaissance” today. Take 10 minutes to look at your family, your workplace, or your church through the eyes of a watchman. Ask the Holy Spirit: “Lord, what is on the horizon? Is there an enemy approaching through a backdoor of compromise? Is there a blessing approaching that we need to prepare for?” Note any “faint movements” you perceive in the spirit.
Daily Prayer: Lord God, I thank You for my post on the wall. I accept the responsibility of being a watchman for Your people. I repent for the times I have been asleep or distracted by the affairs of this life. Sharpen my spiritual sight and give me a heart that remains alert. Help me to hear the words from Your mouth and give me the boldness to sound the alarm without fear. I stand at my watch today. Amen.
