Musing – Is “Soul Winning” also in the Old Testament?

 Hebraic Musing – Is “Soul Winning” also in the Old Testament?

Ezekiel, the Watchman, reminded the people of their responsibility to preach rightly about the sin of wickedness.  And he talked of the consequences if they do not preach rightly!  Might that still apply today?

Here’s what Ezekiel had to say about our responsibility.  “When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, … that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.  Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, …, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”  Ezekiel 3:18-19 NKJV   What is our responsibility?   You might want to read that again!!! 

And there are more forms of witnessing found in the Old Testament:

·      Daniel 12:3 “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”  NIV

·      Psalm 1:3 “He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” NKJV

·      Psalm 126:6 “He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.” 

·      Proverbs 10:5 “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”

·      Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.”

·      Ezekiel 3:20 “Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die; because you did not give him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand.”

·      Ezekiel 33:6  “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.”

Why did Almighty God choose to start His outreach ministry on earth in Israel?  Israel was at the crossroads of early trade routes; trade between the nations of the World, whether North to South or East to West flowed through Israel!  Thus, the Land became the ideal location to introduce Almighty God to the World.

Our pastor’s favorite “soul-winning” story is about a shoe salesman sent to Africa to develop a new territory.  The salesman came back in a week frustrated saying “They don’t wear shoes there!”  So the company sent another young salesman, and a week later they got a message from him saying “The opportunity is great here!  Everybody needs shoes!  Send me more inventory!”  Does this need explanation?

And this is worth repeating.  “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30 NKJV

Points to ponder

How would you feel if someone in Hell were to say to you – “Why didn’t you tell me?

Does Soul Winning sometimes require “Tough Love”?

If you witness and they say “No”, did you plant a seed for them to consider?

BTW, how many times did you say “No” before you finally said “Yes” to LORD Jesus?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                October 22, 2024
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by my Pastor Tom Hatley’s September 22, 2024, message.