[1] Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: [3] If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; [4] 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. [5] He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. [6] But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: | |
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| Question | Answer |
| To whom does the word of Jehovah come? | "Son of man," The Seventh Messenger, Pastor Russell. Please see topical study Son of Man. |
| To whom does "Son of man," deliver God's message? | "To the children of thy people." |
| Who are "The children of thy people?" | In Volume 3 (C61) Pastor Russell makes reference to this phrase in Dan. 12:1 and explains who is being referenced by "thy [Daniel's] people." Here in Ezekiel the exact same reasoning would apply. Ezekiel's people were Daniel's people, i.e., the people of God, at that time, the Israelites. The "children of thy people," short term would include those in covenant relation with the Lord during the Gospel Age (or at least claim to be,) and long term would include all who will eventually become God's children. |
| "Son of man" is to deliver a message to "the children of thy people." What is the first part of that message and what do we learn from this? | The first part of the message is: "When I bring the sword upon a land..." What this tells us is that the LORD is going to "bring the sword on the land," [not that He might bring the sword...] In other words, this is not a vague thought. It is definite so be prepared! We also note that this is upon "the land," i.e., the territory of Israel. Because of our perspective, knowing who prophetically is pictured by "Son of man," we look to the time of the second Advent for the fulfillment of this. While the "land" (territory) of "Christendom" often refers to its geography (primarily Europe and Western Russia) it can also refer to its influence beyond this territory (most obvious example being the United States.) |
| So, now that the LORD's people know that the LORD is indeed going to "bring the sword upon the land," what are they to do about it? | In the standard (KJV) version, the answer is posed as an "if" question: "If the people of the land..." The ASV reads: "When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and set him for their watchman." Notice, it is NOT a question. The people find a man and set him as their watchman. |
| Why would the people of the land "take a man of their coasts?" | The word here used for coasts is Strong's H7097. Strong's H7097 It often refers to border, edge, etc. depending upon context. "At the end of three days.."קֵצֶה קָצֶה qâtseh qêtseh kaw-tseh', kay-tseh' The second form is negative only; from H7096; an extremity (used in a great variety of applications and idioms; compare H7093): - X after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, [in-] finite, frontier, outmost coast, quarter, shore, (out-) side, X some, ut (-ter-) most (part). Total KJV occurrences: 97 This is where the people are to find their "watchman." This watchman is not taken from the central (more established) parts of the "Christian world" but from someone who is on the edge or border of it. This is an interesting way of identifying where Pastor Russell found himself at the beginning of the harvest. |
Verses 3-4 Expanded Bible Comments
| If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; [4] 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. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is this "watchman" to do when he sees "the sword come upon the land" and what does that mean? | "He blows the trumpet and warns the people." - MKJV, ESV. This means that he "blows the trumpet" of Jubilee. He sounds the alarm to those who are willing to listen. The "trumpet" is the Lord's message of "present truth" and the watchman warns those in "Babylon" at that time. (Remember, this is where the saints were. "Let both grow together...") The warning is that the time has arrived for the Lord's people to "come out of her my people..." |
| Does this verse tell us that all "the people" will hear the warning? | No! "Whosoever hears..." This lets us know that at that time there will at least be some who are so "overcharged with excess, and drunkenness, and cares of this life" that they will not hear. |
| Do those (from the previous question) who do not "hear" have any legitimate excuse for not hearing? | Absolutely not! D164:1 |
| Verse 4 begins "Whosoever heareth..." What exactly is meant by "heareth?" | This is not that clear until we look at Strong's for this verse. Strong's H8085 Not only does this tell us that to "hear" means to understand, the Hebrew doubles the word (Strong's H8085) which indicates a special emphasis. Thus this specially applies to those who are able to hear (understand) what the warning is.שָׁמַע shâma‛ shaw-mah' A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.): - X attentively, call (gather) together, X carefully, X certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, X diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear (-ken, tell), X indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim (-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, X surely, tell, understand, whosoever [heareth], witness. Total KJV occurrences: 1158 |
| Just a quick note here. In the standard KJV, as well as others, we see "if the sword come..." When we look carefully at the Hebrew (as well as the Greek translation of the Hebrew) the word "if" is NOT there. It is not a matter of IF, it is a matter of FACT. The sword does come. | |
| Now that they have heard the sound of the trumpet giving its warning, what takes place next? | The sword comes "and takes him away." |
| Who bears the responsibility for this result? | "His blood shall be upon his own head." |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What happens to the one who hears "the of the trumpet" and does not take warning? | "His blood shall be upon him." |
| What happens to "he that taketh warning?" | He "shall deliver his soul" [nephesh]. |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What happens if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet? | 1) "the people are not warned." (ESV) 2) Some people will be "taken away." |
| This is the same note we had in verse 4. In the standard KJV, as well as others, we see "if the sword come..." When we look carefully at the Hebrew (as well as the Greek translation of the Hebrew) the word "if" is NOT there. It is not a matter of IF, it is a matter of FACT. The sword does come. | |
| In this verse, what is the condition of "any person from among them" who "is taken away?" | "He is taken away in his iniquity." |
| Who bears responsibility for this result? | "His blood will I require at the watchman's hand." |
| While this seems clear that "the watchman" here refers to the Seventh Messenger to the church, what lessons may we take concerning our own responsibilities as: 1) members of the church 2) elders in the church 3) voting members in church elections? |
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| Is there a connection here to Matt. 24:45-51? | |
[7] So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. [8] When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. [9] Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| To whom is God here speaking? | To "son of man" - Pastor Russell. |
| What does this fact tell us about this prophecy? | It tells us several things. First, if we are to understand this prophetic picture, we need to recognize that the time frame is during his ministry. Things described as being in the past stem from this understanding. Things being done at that time also stem from there. Things described as future likewise stem from there. If we can narrow down any specific points in time within this framework that helps us even more. This also tells us to pay close attention to what the LORD tells "son of man" and respect that this is God's choice for delivering the truth to His people. |
| "I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel." Do we, based on our prior studies, know when this event took place? | Yes. Please see Eze. 3:4-21 (especially vss 15-17.) The date: 1881. |
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. | |
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Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. | |
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| Have we seen this in our previous studies, if so, where? | Please see Eze. 3:17-19. The chapter 3 reference begins with "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel..." This is a clear reference to the Seventh Messenger, and so it is here as well. |
[10] Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? [11] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? [12] Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. [13] When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. [14] Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; [15] If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. [16] None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? | |
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Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? | |
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Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. | |
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Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. | |
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Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; | |
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Verse 15 Expanded Bible Comments
| If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. | |
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Verse 16 Expanded Bible Comments
| None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. | |
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[17] Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. [18] When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. [19] But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. [20] Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. | |
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Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. | |
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Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. | |
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Verse 20 Expanded Bible Comments
| Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways. | |
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[21] And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. [22] Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb.
Verse 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| And it came to pass in the twelfth year of our captivity, in the tenth month, in the fifth day of the month, that one that had escaped out of Jerusalem came unto me, saying, The city is smitten. | |
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Verse 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| Now the hand of the LORD was upon me in the evening, afore he that was escaped came; and had opened my mouth, until he came to me in the morning; and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb. | |
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[23] Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [24] Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. [25] Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? [26] Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land? [27] Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. [28] For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. [29] Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed.
Verse 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, | |
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Verse 24 Expanded Bible Comments
| Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance. | |
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Verse 25 Expanded Bible Comments
| Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land? | |
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Verse 26 Expanded Bible Comments
| Ye stand upon your sword, ye work abomination, and ye defile every one his neighbour's wife: and shall ye possess the land? | |
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Verse 27 Expanded Bible Comments
| Say thou thus unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; As I live, surely they that are in the wastes shall fall by the sword, and him that is in the open field will I give to the beasts to be devoured, and they that be in the forts and in the caves shall die of the pestilence. | |
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Verse 28 Expanded Bible Comments
| For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through. | |
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Verse 29 Expanded Bible Comments
| Then shall they know that I am the LORD, when I have laid the land most desolate because of all their abominations which they have committed. | |
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[30] Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. [31] And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. [32] And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. [33] And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Verse 30 Expanded Bible Comments
| Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. | |
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Verse 31 Expanded Bible Comments
| And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. | |
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Verse 32 Expanded Bible Comments
| And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. | |
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Verse 33 Expanded Bible Comments
| And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. | |
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