Sound the Alarm Remember this Whoever turns a
Sound the Alarm! “Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins. ” James 5: 20
The Facts, Please! • A lifeguard at the ocean has three things that help him see danger and give a warning: a high tower, a warning whistle, and his own alertness.
More Facts, Please. • In Bible times, every Palestinian city or village had a watchman to warn of dangers that might be approaching, especially at night. Many watchmen were located in high towers, and they blew an alarm with a trumpet. Of course, like lifeguards today, they had to be alert an watchful.
More Facts! • Watchtowers in Bible times were high, fortified structures that enabled a watchman to see in every direction. Some were located at intervals on a city wall: others were on hilltops or other high places. Some watchtowers were equipped with military machines for throwing arrows and stones. • The Jews used a silver trumpet for sounding an alarm. The trumpets sounded different signals, depending on the situation.
One More Fact! • The citizens of a city or village slept peacefully at night, for they depended on the watchman to warn them of danger. It was absolutely essential that he watchman stay alert, watching in all directions for any sign of trouble. If he failed to do so, he could pay for it with his life and theirs.
- Slides: 5