A Watchman is defined as “one who looks out”, “one who spies, or “one who watches” according to Webster’s Dictionary. Another appropriate interpretation would be someone who is a prophet. “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed and stationed watchmen (prophets), who will never keep silent day or night; you who profess the Lord take no rest for yourselves (Isaiah 62:6).
Watchmen are responsible for protecting towns and military installations from surprise enemy attacks and other potential dangers. Their job is to literally keep watch and WARN people of impending threats. When people are going about saying peace, peace, but when there is no peace, God will give the watchmen visions of warning (2 Kings 9:17; 2 Chronicles 20:24; Jeremiah 6:17). They were commanded to blow a trumpet to get the people’s attention (Habakkuk 2:1-20). Sometimes they fill the role of being scouts. They become spies behind enemy lines, gaining insight to their tactics. They also keep an eye out for their friends who may be in danger (the gift of discernment is very important here). A blind or disobedient watchman leaves the people he is called to protect. OBEDIENCE is ultimately the ONLY course of action for a watchman.
Here is a list of other roles watchmen participate in:
- They announce the start of a new day (Psalm 130:6; Isaiah 21:11-12)
- They safeguard fields and vineyards during harvest time (Isaiah 5:1-2; Matthew 21:33; Mark 12:1)
- Prophets are appointed by God as spiritual watchmen over the souls of His people, including being in the trenches of spiritual warfare (Ezekiel 33:7; Hosea 9:8)
- Watchmen URGE God’s people to live faithfully and warn them of the peril involved in falling away from the Lord and doing evil. They are to chastise those who fall away (Song of Solomon 5:7)
- They also warn wicked people of the judgement and destruction that comes unless they turn from their evil ways
- Just as in biblical times, watchmen bear a very heavy responsibility before God. If they fail to warn others as God has appointed them to do, his own life will be in danger and he will be held accountable for the sins of the people (Ezekiel 33:2-6)
- Watchmen pray at all times in the Spirit. Keeping alert with perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18)
- Watchmen will prepare ambushes for the enemy (Jeremiah 51:12) and seek to confuse them (Micah 7:4)
- Watchmen are given revelation when the time is near for Jesus’s return (Jeremiah 31:6)
In conclusion, watchmen are blessed and highly favored by God (Proverbs 8:34-35). They are leaders among leaders because of the responsibility they have been given (Ezekiel 34:1-31; Isaiah 56:10). They are similar to the apostles having no earthly father, teacher or instructor. They are ordained by God, not man (Matthew 28:8-10). Finally, encourage your watchmen and fill them with joy. Not only does it benefit them, but it benefits you as well (Hebrews 13:17)!
Seasons of Grace 