Ezekiel 33:7-11
“Is It My Business To Interfere?
December 26, 2004 was an aweful day for the people of the Far East. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and many more countries were hit by the Tsunami. Beside material loss, more than 275,000 people died. Why was the death toll so high? Because these countries had no way of sending warning messages to the people. Last week Hurricane Katrina hit Florida, Lousiana and Mississippi. So far the estimated loss is 28 billion dollars. However, the death toll is around 100. Considering the size of the hurricane, thank God there were less casualties. Why? Because people were warned to leave. Many considered the warning to be a serious one and took an action. There were people, though, who did not take the warnings seriously or were unable to leave. They lost their lives.
Today's Old and New Testament readings compliment each other. God calls Ezekiel and gives him a task. He wants him to be a watchman, His watchman. He is to tell the people that there is a danger ahead. When we see "Danger ahead" signs as we drive, we slow down. I remember my car going over potholes (even on highways). It slowed us down because there were no "Danger ahead" signs in Lebanon! Such signs interfere in our driving. Such signs slows us down.
There is a known expression MYOB (mind your own business). God acts differently. He interferes. He warns.
What is God's demand from Ezekiel? In today's text, God commands him to be a watchman to warn people of the consequences of their sin. "So give them warning for me." (vs 7)
What is "Danger ahead" for us? What is dangerous for our spiritual lives? What is sin?
How shall we decide what is sin? Is sin what we personally think is wrong? Is sin what we collectively think is wrong?
God is the only one who can answer these questions. God's Word warns us from sin. His commandments are useful in guiding us and keeping us away from sin. God hates sin and despises it. Sin is rebellion against Him. It is unfaithfulness towards Him. Sin separates us from Him.
God warns us from sin through the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Jesus is the example we live by.
Not warning someone might lead to his or her death. "As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and they live." (vs.11)
God is alive. He loves life.
Is it my business to watch and warn? Is it my business to interfere?