Ezekiel 13

God now talks to Ezekiel regarding the false prophets and prophetesses. 

Directed at the "foolish prophets who follow their own hearts," God has this against them: they did not stand in the gaps of the wall for the house of Israel. This means the prophets did not teach the people to repent and return to the Lord. They left holes in the wall of their faith, which was left vulnerable to attack.

Because they lied to the people, proclaiming peace where there was no peace, and said 'Thus says the Lord,' when they did not hear from Him, He was against them. They will not stand in the assembly of His people nor enter into the land of Israel. Then they will know that He is the Lord.

God will cause a "stormy wind" with "hailstones," representing the Babylonian army, to break the wall and destroy the false prophets, or rather to wipe out the false religion and its prophets.

God also told Ezekiel to rebuke the prophetesses and sorceresses with their magic charms and veils, full of lies and divinations. God was against them, too. Their lies burdened the righteous with their false messages and strengthened the wicked, so that they would not repent or turn away from their wickedness.

Therefore, God will deliver his people from their hands, and they shall know that He is the Lord. 

COMMENTARY

This chapter, obviously, is set against the false prophets, who prophesied out of their own beliefs. Beware of pastors today who preach from their own ideas. Make sure you have a pastor who speaks directly from the Word of God and gives the gospel, which is to repent and trust in Christ. The prophets of Ezekiel's day were teaching the people how to be a good person, self-reliant, and live well. The future was bright and everything was alright. Sound familiar?

Beware of the women, too. Even today, women are attracted to the cults, spiritualism, mediums, fortune-tellers,  necromancers, and witches. The women of Ezekiel's day gave little amulets and kerchiefs to those who were sick, as if it could make them well. (Yet, all they had to do was go to the Lord.)

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