Ezekiel 13:11

Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.

Ezekiel 13:11 (KJV)

Context

The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, and Ezekiel was a prophet who ministered to the exiled Israelites in Babylon during the sixth century BCE. In this chapter, Ezekiel addresses the false prophets and prophetesses of Israel who were leading the people astray with deceptive messages. They claimed to speak for God when they had not been sent, offering false visions and assurances of peace while judgment was near.

Meaning

The verse uses the imagery of a wall built with untempered mortar, a weak mixture of mud or clay that lacks the strength to hold stones together. The false prophets had covered the people’s spiritual problems with a superficial whitewash, promising safety without calling for repentance. God declares that this flimsy wall will fall. The overflowing shower, great hailstones, and stormy wind are instruments of divine judgment that will wash away, crush, and tear down the false foundations. Each element of the storm works together to demonstrate the complete and certain destruction of everything the prophets had built. The certainty of the wall’s fall underscores the certainty of God’s judgment against deception and false assurance.

Biblical connections

The following verse, Ezekiel 13:13, reinforces this message, stating that God will rend the wall with a stormy wind in His fury, an overflowing shower in His anger, and great hailstones to consume it. This connection shows that the judgment described is not random but is the direct action of God against those who speak falsely in His name.

Application

While this verse specifically addresses the false prophets of Ezekiel’s time, it carries lessons for today. We should strive for spiritual integrity and truthfulness, avoiding any form of deception or superficiality. Just as the false prophets used untempered mortar, we must ensure our spiritual lives are built on the solid foundation of God’s Word and His truth. God sees through deceptive practices and false teachings; ultimately, they will be exposed, and those who perpetuate them will face judgment. Yet throughout the book of Ezekiel, God also offers hope of restoration and redemption for those who genuinely repent and turn back to Him.

Reflection

This verse calls us to examine the foundations of our own faith and teaching. Are we building with the strong mortar of God’s truth, or are we covering over cracks with easy assurances? The promise of judgment is sobering, but it is also a call to honest repentance and a reminder that God’s mercy is available to all who turn to Him.