In the city of Stuttgart (Germany) on the square there is a fountain called «Night Watchman». In his right hand, the law enforcement officer holds a lantern, in his left – a halberd, and a dog sits next to him.
The profession of a watchman has long been very important and useful. The role of the guardian of order in the lives of both individuals and entire nations is described in many works of literature, as well as depicted in paintings.
The story goes that the watchman carried special equipment with him. In particular, he had to carry a light source — a torch, a lantern or a kerosene lamp. No less important were the sound alarm devices: they served as a whistle and a hunting horn, or bugle. If necessary, the guard could use a weapon to protect himself from intruders.
One of the most important tasks of the watchman is to warn about the impending danger. His sharp eyes could often save him from great misfortune. But if the warnings of even the most responsible guardian in the world are ignored, how useful is his work? He can only help himself.
Here is what is written in the Bible about the work of the watchman: «The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, speak to your people and say to them: When I bring the sword against a land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved themselves». (Ezekiel 33:1-5).
Now the watchman in the life of every person is the Bible — the Word of God. The Lord has given us many wise warnings, pointing out that their violation will lead to serious consequences. God did not leave man in the unknown: through the Scriptures, He will help to find a way out of any situation.
You will learn more about this from the sermon of Taras Sen in the program «So says the Bible».
