in action have him reporting to the king (2 Sa 18:24, 25; 2 Ki 9:17–20), but Ezekiel is to report to the whole house of Israel. The analogy of the prophet as watchman entails more than just watching. Normally a watchman would be scanning the horizon for imminent danger. Ezekiel’s first job, however, is not to watch, but to listen (שָׁמַעְתָּ). He is to listen to the voice of the Lord and to give his warning based on what the Lord says, not on what he sees. Clearly the Lord himself has seen