Ezekiel 13 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 13

The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?

8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

10 “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash, 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

13 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. 14 I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. 15 So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord.”’

17 “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them 18 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? 19 You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.

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. 21 I will tear off your veils and save my people from your hands, and they will no longer fall prey to your power. Then you will know that I am the Lord. 22 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, 23 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.’”

Ezekiel 13 Meaning

The verses in Ezekiel 13 address the issue of false prophets in Israel during Ezekiel’s time. These false prophets were spreading lies and deceit among the people, claiming to speak on behalf of God when in reality they were only seeking their own gain. These verses highlight the importance of discerning false teachings and holding fast to the truth of God’s Word.

Ezekiel 13 Commentary and Explanation

Ezekiel 13 presents a fascinating glimpse into the spiritual landscape of Israel during Ezekiel’s prophetic ministry. As we delve into this chapter, we must remember the context in which it was written. The people of Israel were in exile in Babylon, and false prophets were prevalent, offering false hope and misleading the people. Ezekiel, a true prophet of God, was tasked with exposing these false prophets and conveying God’s messages to His people.

In the opening verses of Ezekiel 13, we encounter the Lord’s rebuke against the false prophets of Israel. These individuals were described as “foolish prophets” who followed their own spirits and spoke out of their own hearts. We are reminded of the importance of discernment and the need to test the spirits, as mentioned in 1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

The false prophets in Ezekiel’s time were like “foxes among the ruins.” They did not rebuild the spiritual ruins of the nation but, instead, prophesied false visions and lying divinations. Their messages were akin to whitewashing a wall with untempered mortar, which ultimately crumbles when tested. This imagery underscores the necessity of a strong foundation in our faith, as mentioned in Matthew 7:24-27, where Jesus taught about building one’s house upon a rock.

Ezekiel 13:10 introduces us to a critical aspect of these false prophets: their influence on the people. These prophets misled the people, promising peace when there was no peace. In a similar vein, we are reminded of Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 6:14: “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” This serves as a stern warning to us, emphasizing the dangers of false teachings and the importance of grounding our faith in God’s truth.

As we move forward in Ezekiel 13, we encounter the Lord’s judgment against these false prophets. God declared that He was against them and would cut them off from His people. This emphasizes the seriousness of misleading others in matters of faith and the severe consequences that false prophets face. We are reminded of Jesus’ warning in Matthew 18:6, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

In Ezekiel 13:18-23, the text discusses the practices of these false prophetesses who used various divination techniques such as magic bands and veils to deceive the people. These practices were condemned by God, as they led the people away from the truth. We are reminded of Deuteronomy 18:10-12, where God forbids His people from engaging in such occult practices.

The chapter closes with a powerful message from God, stating that His wrath would be poured out upon these false prophets and their false teachings. It is a solemn reminder that God’s truth and His judgment are inescapable.

Ezekiel 13 serves as a powerful warning against false prophets and the dangers of deception within the spiritual realm. It underscores the importance of discernment, testing spirits, and staying rooted in God’s unchanging truth. As we navigate our own faith journeys, let us remain vigilant, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit and staying faithful to God’s Word.

Breaking Down the Key Parts Ezekiel 13

a) False prophets compared to foxes: The Lord uses this metaphor to illustrate the craftiness and cunning nature of the false prophets. Just as foxes are known for their stealth and deceitfulness, these false prophets were operating in similar ways, seeking their own gain and using deceptive tactics to mislead the people.

b) Untempered mortar: The false prophets are accused of using weak and ineffective materials to build spiritual walls. This means their teachings lacked solid biblical foundation and were not able to provide true spiritual protection for the people. Their messages lacked the truth and authority of God’s Word.

c) Prophesying lies: The false prophets were spreading false messages and prophesying things that were not from the Lord. Instead of aligning with God’s truth, they were speaking out of their own hearts and desires. This caused spiritual confusion among the people and hindered them from truly repenting and seeking God.

d) Exposing the false prophets: The Lord declares that He will tear down the walls these false prophets have built and expose their deceitful practices. The judgment of God will come upon them, and they will no longer be able to deceive the people. God’s truth will prevail, and His people will be set free from the grasp of these false prophets.

Bible Study on Ezekiel 13

It is crucial for us as believers to discern false teachings and false prophets in our midst. Just as the Israelites were led astray by the false prophets in Ezekiel’s time, we can also be vulnerable to deception if we are not firmly grounded in God’s Word. The Bible serves as our plumb line, our standard of truth, and we must measure every teaching and prophecy against it.

We must be vigilant and test the spirits, as 1 John 4:1 says, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” We should not blindly accept everything that comes our way, but rather, we should compare it to the teachings of the Bible and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Jesus warns us about false prophets in Matthew 7:15-16, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.” We can discern false prophets by examining the fruit of their teachings and actions. If their teachings contradict the Word of God or lead people away from the truth, then we can be sure they are false prophets.

Final Thoughts

As Christians, we are called to be discerning and wise in our faith. We must be aware that false prophets can arise at any time, seeking to deceive and mislead God’s people. Therefore, it is essential for us to be firmly rooted in God’s Word and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives.

Let us be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” By studying the Bible diligently and applying its teachings to our lives, we can guard ourselves against false teachings and be equipped to discern the truth.

May we always be alert and discerning, holding fast to the truth of God’s Word, and rejecting anything that contradicts His teachings. By doing so, we will remain steadfast in our faith and be protected from the deceit of false prophets.