Ezekiel · chapter 13 of 48
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Ezekiel 13 is a denunciation of the false prophets and prophetesses of Israel. The prophets speak from their own imagination and cry peace when there is no peace, like someone whitewashing a flimsy wall; the prophetesses use charms and veils to hunt lives. The Lord declares himself against them: their wall will fall, and the faithful will be delivered from their deceit.
After the sign-acts of chapter 12, Ezekiel addresses those who contradicted his message with another: prophets who said Jerusalem was safe. In chapters 13 and 14 the book deals with Israel's false guides. This chapter is a perennial warning against anyone who says what the people want to hear.
The Lord tells Ezekiel to prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy out of their own hearts. He calls them foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. They are like jackals among ruins; they have not gone up into the breaches or built a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle on the day of the Lord. Their visions are false and their divination a lie, and they say the Lord declares it, though he has not sent them.
The Lord declares himself against them: they will not be in the council of his people, nor be written in the register of Israel, nor enter the land. They have misled the people, saying peace when there is no peace. When the people build a flimsy wall, they cover it with whitewash. God will send a deluge of rain, hailstones and a stormy wind, and the wall will fall; people will ask where the coating is with which they covered it.
The second part is addressed to the women who prophesy out of their own hearts. They sew magic bands on all wrists and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, to hunt lives. They profane God among his people for handfuls of barley and pieces of bread, putting to death those who should not die and keeping alive those who should not live, by lying to a people who listen. God will tear off their bands and rip their veils, and deliver his people from their hands. They have disheartened the righteous with lies and have strengthened the hands of the wicked so that he does not turn from his evil way. So they will no more see false visions or practice divination.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
God calls foolish the prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. A true prophet speaks what he has received; a false prophet repeats what suits him or what pleases the people.
They say peace when there is no peace and cover a flimsy wall with whitewash. The image describes someone who hides problems with pretty words instead of repairing the structure.
These prophets assured Jerusalem of peace, although the Lord had not spoken of peace. True comfort cannot rest on a lie.
Lies grieve the righteous and encourage the wicked to continue in their evil way. A false message of reassurance does harm in both directions.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: From their own hearts and their own spirit, having seen nothing. — Ezekiel 13:2-3
Answer: Jackals among ruins. — Ezekiel 13:4
Answer: They announce peace. — Ezekiel 13:10
Answer: They cover it with whitewash. — Ezekiel 13:10
Answer: Magic bands for wrists and veils for heads, to hunt lives. — Ezekiel 13:18
Answer: Deliver them from their hands so they are no longer prey. — Ezekiel 13:21
We all like to hear that everything is fine. This chapter reminds us that a message that comforts without truth is a trap. Those who teach in the church have a responsibility to speak what God has said, even when it is uncomfortable, and those who listen must test what they hear against Scripture.
It is also an invitation not to whitewash our own walls: hiding wounds, debts, sins or conflicts behind a show of normality. The Lord prefers the truth that heals to the facade that falls. In a small group, you can talk about how to speak with both love and truth.
Ezekiel 13 shows the danger of those who say peace when God has not promised it. In chapter 14 the leaders of the people come to consult Ezekiel, but God shows them that the problem lies in their own hearts.
Ezekiel 13 points out that the false prophet speaks from his own heart, announces what the people want to hear and does not confront sin. Deuteronomy 13 and 18 add tests such as faithfulness to the Lord and the fulfillment of what is said. Today it is recommended to compare everything with Scripture.
The text does not explain the details, but it seems to describe magical practices meant to control people's fortunes and hunt lives. Translators and scholars do not agree on every detail, so it should be read with caution, noting the message: God condemns spiritual manipulation.