We Need a Watchman

The Role of the Preacher in Today’s World

For the sake of this discussion, we’ll call the man of GOD—or pastor—simply a preacher. I will also be referring to preachers in the general sense, he; this should in no way indicate that I believe that females are unable to be GOD-called pastors or otherwise. Far too often, the preacher is seen in today’s society as the spoiler of the party. TV shows, movies, radio personalities all portray men of the cloth as self-righteous and unnecessary. Understandably so, this portrayal is not always undeserved. Our humanistic society would like to eliminate the man of GOD in our lives. Postmodernism's christianity (purposely not capitalized) would also like to lessen the importance and position of the man of GOD; not only in our personal lives, but also as the voice of GOD to the local Church. This is accomplished by convincing preachers to sugar, or sweeten, the Text by teaching easy-believism. This not-so-subtle degradation of GOD’s delegated authority in our lives ultimately leads to the world despising social authorities and the Community despising the authority that GOD has placed on the shoulders of His messengers.

The Role of the Preacher in Our Lives

Is there a valid role for a preacher in each of our lives? When we examine the Text, find that we all need a preacher. One of the many monikers used throughout the Text for preacher is watchman (Isaiah 21:6 and 11-12 are two examples of this usage). The preacher’s role in our lives is to speak the words of GOD with authority, and to watch and warn us of things that will come against us. GOD’s people were commanded to place watchmen on the walls of their cities, but GOD also retained the right to place His own watchmen at other times. There are examples of both cases throughout the Text. Subsequently, we must place the preacher in our lives on the wall of our lives, and also be willing to follow the instruction of the preacher that GOD Himself ordains as watchman. This is because the preacher fills the role of the voice of GOD not only in our personal lives, but also in the world at large.

We Have To Accept the Role of the Preacher in Our Lives

David was the King of Israel—the highest position of authority to the people of GOD. He was anointed by GOD to rule GOD’s people, yet he still needed a preacher. David’s relationship with the preacher in his life is one of the characteristics that made him the man after GOD’s own heart. David not only welcomed the counsel of the man of GOD, he sought after it. Constantly, throughout every aspect of David’s life, you will find the GOD's man speaking GOD's words to the king who had been anointed by GOD. David never grew past his need for a watchman. If we are to truly be people called by the name—and people of the name—we must continually place ourselves under the authority that GOD has called to be the watchman on the wall. I know this flies in the face of much of Christiandom, but it doesn’t make it less true. Remember, that to be in authority, we must be under authority (study Jesus’ teaching). Submitting to GOD’s authority is never a bad life choice.

The Responsibilities of the Watchman to the Voice of GOD

In order to be a true watchman, there are GOD-breathed responsibilities on those who are called to this role. The preacher must listen for and obey the voice of GOD; he can’t add to it or take away from it, he can’t flavor what he hears with his own opinions and personal convictions, he can’t repeat what he hears from another preacher… he must simply repeat what GOD has spoken. 

When GOD has a word for His people, He will send a preacher. When GOD sends a preacher, He will tell him what to say. We have to believe and accept that the preacher is speaking the words that GOD has given him to say. This is the preached Word of GOD. We must then respond to the Word that has been preached to us. This, however, does not remove our own GOD-given responsibility to study to present ourselves as unashamed workmen (2 Timothy 2:14-16). Our responsibility is to hear the preached Word, then filter what we’re hearing through the written Word. If the two don’t match, there’s a problem.

Our Responsibilities to the Preached Word of GOD

When we have properly filtered the preached Word of GOD through the Text, we must not only respond, but we have to also accept the direction that GOD is giving us through His watchman; even if it is not something we want to hear. 2 Samuel 12:7-12 demonstrates to us that the Word of GOD will always reveal to us what is in our hearts, whether it is good or bad. Our response to what is revealed by the Word of GOD determines our position in GOD. In this Text, David not only heard the preached Word, but he responded honestly and accepted full responsibility for his own actions. Far too often we hear what GOD is speaking to us and we reject it because we aren’t happy with what we’re hearing. What we have to realize is that our rejection doesn’t change GOD’s Word at all. If the preached Word doesn’t contradict the written Word, we must accept that we are hearing from GOD.

The Benefit of a Watchman on the Wall

There is great benefit for us to have a watchman in our lives. We must never get to the place where we think that it is only important to build walls and standards around our lives to protect from the enemy. Walls and standards may have their import, but without the watchman on the wall they are nothing more than facades that provide little or no defense. Without a watchman we may never hear the voice of GOD, nor will we be able to see over the wall to find out from which direction the enemy is attacking.

In the heat of the Peloponnesian Wars there were several great battles that still impact our lives today. From the training of our modern-day infantry, to the battle plans that our generals use in attacking our enemies, the battles between the Greek city-states circa 400 BC, have shaped the very core of both our national defense and international offense.

Of all these battles perhaps the most intriguing story is the story of the Battle of Troy fought at the conclusion of the Trojan Wars. Having fought for months over the kidnapping of Helen—and still unable to breech the walls—the Spartans feigned defeat and retreated off the coast of Troy. As a parting gift they sent a large wooden horse to the Trojans as a sign of peace and good luck. Excited over their victory—and blinded by their pride—the Trojans opened the gates and wheeled the large wooden horse into the center of the city.

The King of Troy called for a time of celebration and called for the troops to be called off alert. He even ordered the men manning the towers to be given a time of rest so that they all could join in the celebration.

Under the cover of night—while the city slept behind their unguarded walls—Spartan soldiers who had been hidden inside the wood horse, sneaked out and opened the gates of the city to allow thousands of Spartan troops to flood the streets of Troy. Had there been watchmen in the towers they would have seen the Spartan fleet return during the celebration.

Troy fell from an attack from within, but they were destroyed by the absence of a watchman.