1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’”
3 Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins.
5 You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the Lord.
6 They have seen false visions and lying divinations.
7 Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, ‘Declares the Lord,’ although I have not spoken?”
8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord God.
9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.
10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
11 say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
12 Therefore say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.
14 And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
15 Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash, and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it,
16 to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord God.
17 “And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own minds. Prophesy against them”
18 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists, and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in the hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive?
19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, putting to death souls who should not die and keeping alive souls who should not live, by your lying to my people, who listen to lies.
20 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds.”
21 I will tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand as prey, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
22 Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,
23 therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination.
The True Meaning of Ezekiel 13
The book of Ezekiel was written by the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest and a prophet during the Babylonian exile. He was among the first group of Israelites taken captive to Babylon in 597 BC, and he received his prophetic visions and messages while living in exile. Ezekiel addresses the false prophets who have been deceiving the people of Israel in this chapter. He condemns their empty promises and warns them of the consequences of their actions. The chapter foreshadows the judgment that will come upon these false prophets and the people who have been led astray by their lies.
Ezekiel’s words echo the warnings found in other biblical books, such as Jeremiah’s condemnation of the false prophets (Jeremiah 23:16-22) and the Lord’s promise to hold the shepherds of Israel accountable for their failure to care for the flock (Ezekiel 34:1-10). These passages remind us of the importance of discernment and the need to be vigilant against those who would lead us astray.
Ezekiel 13:1-7
The passage in Ezekiel 13:1-7 starts by highlighting false prophets. It begins with God commanding Ezekiel to prophesy against the prophets of Israel who were prophesying out of their own hearts and not from the mouth of the Lord. These false prophets were likened to foxes among ruins, indicating they were destructive and deceptive. The prophets were accused of following their own spirits and seeing nothing, deceiving the people by pretending to see visions while the Lord had not sent them. This was a serious offense because these false prophets led the people astray and caused them to believe in lies rather than the truth of God’s word.
This passage serves as a timeless warning against false prophets and those who distort God’s word for their own gain. It reminds believers to discern between true and false prophets, as not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does. Throughout the Bible, there are warnings about false prophets who deceive and mislead God’s people. Jesus in the New Testament also warns about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). This passage in Ezekiel reinforces the importance of testing the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1) and clinging to the truth of God’s word.
Furthermore, the comparison of false prophets to foxes among ruins is significant. Foxes in the Bible often symbolize craftiness, cunning, and destruction. Something that threatens the growth and fruitfulness of God’s people is represented by the foxes spoiling the vines in Song of Solomon 2:15. The false prophets in Ezekiel 13 were like foxes causing destruction and chaos among the people with their deceitful practices. This imagery serves as a stark warning against those who spread lies and lead others away from the truth. Ezekiel 13:1-7 is a powerful reminder of the importance of discernment in listening to spiritual leaders and prophets. It urges believers to test all teachings against the word of God and to be aware of those who may seek to deceive and mislead them. This passage calls for a steadfast commitment to the truth and a reliance on God’s guidance to avoid being led astray by false prophets.
Ezekiel 13:8-16
Several key sections in Ezekiel 13:8-16 can be identified for deeper exploration.
Starting with verse 8, “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you,’ says the Lord God.” This verse sets the tone for the condemnation of false prophets. The Lord God condemns those who speak deceitfully and spread lies in the name of prophecy. It emphasizes the seriousness of misusing the name of God for personal gain or to deceive others. Throughout the Bible, there are many warnings against false prophets. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 warns that if a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord and the thing does not happen, it is a message that the Lord has not spoken.
Moving on to verses 10-12, “Because, indeed, because they have seduced My people, saying, ‘Peace!’ when there is no peace…’” Here, the false prophets are accused of leading God’s people astray by proclaiming peace when there is no peace, essentially providing false comfort and assurances. This is a grave offense as it manipulates the vulnerable and misleads them away from the truth. Jeremiah 6:14 also addresses this issue, stating, “They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” This repetition in the Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking true peace through God rather than relying on false promises. I will break down the wall you have plastered with untempered mortar in verses 14-16 and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered; it will fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst of it. Then you shall know that I am the Lord. Thus will I accomplish My wrath on the wall and on those who have plastered it with untempered mortar…” These verses depict the consequences that false prophets will face for their deceitful actions. Using the metaphor of a poorly constructed wall that will collapse when tested, God highlights the ultimate failure and destruction that will come upon those who spread lies. This vivid imagery serves as a warning not only to the false prophets in Ezekiel’s time but also to anyone today who distorts God’s truth for personal gain or status. Proverbs 10:9 states, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” This verse reinforces the idea that the truth will always prevail, and those who deceive will face the consequences. Ezekiel 13:8-16 delivers a powerful message about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of speaking the truth in the name of the Lord. It serves as a timeless reminder that God detests falsehood and will ultimately bring judgment upon those who seek to deceive His people. The passage urges us to be vigilant in discerning true prophets from false ones and to prioritize honesty and integrity in all aspects of our faith and interactions with others.
Ezekiel 13:17-23
The passage of Ezekiel 13:17-23 can be broken down into several important sections. Let’s delve into each part for a deeper understanding of their meanings and significance in Ezekiel’s message.
Starting with verse 17, “Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination.” Here, the daughters of the people are being called out for falsely prophesying based on their own thoughts and not the words of God. This is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where false prophets misled the people, leading them astray from the true path of righteousness. The mention of the “son of man” highlights Ezekiel as the one who is to confront and address these deceptive practices.
Moving on to verse 18, “Prophesy against them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on all their wrists and make veils of various lengths for their heads in order to ensnare people. Will you ensnare the lives of my people but preserve your own?” Here, the specific actions of these women are called out, where they use charms and veils to deceive and manipulate the people. They are reprimanded for putting their own interests above God’s people and leading them into spiritual danger. This serves as a warning against the dangers of using deception and manipulation in the name of spirituality. A few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread have profaned me among my people in verse 19. You have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not live by lying to my people, who listen to lies.” The gravity of the false prophets’ actions is made clear here. They have not only disrespected God but have caused harm and death among the people due to their deceitful ways. This emphasizes the responsibility of those who claim to speak on behalf of God to do so with integrity and truth, as their words can have life-changing consequences.
Continuing to verse 20, “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am against your magic charms with which you ensnare people like birds and I will tear them from your arms; I will set free the people that you ensnare like birds.” God’s response to the deceptive practices of these false prophets is one of judgment and justice. He declares that He will reveal the falsehood of their ways and set free those who have been entrapped by their lies. This showcases God’s protective and loving nature towards His people, ensuring that they are not led astray by falsehoods.
Lastly, in verses 22-23, “Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.” Here, the consequences for the false prophets are laid out—they will no longer be able to deceive the people with their lies and false visions. God promises deliverance for His people and reveals His power and authority over falsehood and deception. This serves as a reminder that God will always protect and guide His people, even in the face of deceit and manipulation. Ezekiel 13:17-23 condemns the actions of false prophets who deceive and manipulate God’s people for their own gain. It emphasizes the importance of truth, integrity, and God’s ultimate authority over deceit. Through this passage, we are reminded of the dangers of false teachings and the need to discern the true word of God from deceptive messages. The overarching message remains timeless—that God is just, and He will deliver His people from falsehood and lead them towards righteousness.
After Ezekiel 13
The false prophets had led the people astray with their empty visions and deceitful divinations. They had failed to repair the wall or stand in the breach on the day of the Lord. But the reckoning was coming. The Lord would pour out his wrath on these charlatans and their followers. The people would know that he alone is God. The Lord’s judgment does not stop there as we turn the page. He now sets his sights on the elders of Israel who have turned their backs on him. They have set up idols in their hearts and led the people into sin. The day of accountability has arrived. What will the Lord say to these leaders who were meant to guide his flock? The fate of the nation hangs in the balance.
Reverend Michael Johnson is an experienced Church Minister with a profound expertise in spirituality and guidance. With a serene presence and a compassionate heart, he has faithfully served his congregation for over 20 years, leading them on a spiritual journey towards inner peace and enlightenment. Reverend Johnson’s extensive knowledge of religious philosophies and profound understanding of human nature have made him a trusted confidant and mentor to many, as he seamlessly weaves his profound wisdom into life teachings. Reverend Johnson’s calming demeanor and empathetic nature continue to uplift and heal souls, nurturing a sense of unity and tranquility within his community.