Ezekiel 13:7

“Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?”

Context:The book of Ezekiel is a prophetic book in the Old Testament. The prophet Ezekiel was called by God to deliver messages to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. The people of Israel had turned away from God and were practising idolatry, injustice, and false worship. Ezekiel’s role was to confront their sins and call them to repentance.

False Prophets:In Ezekiel 13, the prophet denounces the false prophets and prophetesses who were misleading the people with their vain visions and lying divinations. These false prophets claimed to speak on behalf of the Lord, but their messages were not from God. They deceived the people by prophesying peace and security when judgement was imminent.

Vain Visions:The false prophets had visions that were empty and devoid of truth. They were not genuine messages from God but products of their own imagination or possibly influenced by demonic forces. Their visions lacked the authority and truthfulness that comes from a genuine encounter with God.

Lying Divinations:Divination refers to attempts to gain knowledge or insight through occult practices or supernatural means. The false prophets were engaging in deceptive practices, claiming to have divine insights and knowledge that they did not possess. They were deceiving the people by uttering lies and falsehoods, leading them astray.

Misusing the Name of the Lord:One of the gravest offences committed by the false prophets was their claim that the Lord had spoken through them, when in fact, He had not. They were using the name of the Lord falsely and leading the people astray. This misuse of God’s name was a serious violation of the commandment not to take the Lord’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7).

Condemnation of False Prophets:Through this verse, Ezekiel condemns the false prophets for their deception and false claims. He exposes their lies and reveals that they are not speaking the words of the Lord. The true prophets of God spoke His word faithfully, even when it was difficult or unpopular. The false prophets, however, were motivated by personal gain, popularity, or their own agendas.

Application:The message of Ezekiel 13:7 is relevant today as it warns against false teachers and prophets who claim to speak on behalf of God but twist His word or speak falsehoods. It reminds us to be discerning and test the teachings we hear against the truth of Scripture. We should not be easily swayed by sensational visions, prophecies, or claims of divine authority without examining them in the light of God’s Word.

• In summary:Ezekiel 13:7 serves as a warning against false prophets and their deceptive practices. It reminds us to be cautious and discerning, seeking truth and faithfully adhering to God’s Word rather than being led astray by those who claim to speak on His behalf but are not truly sent by Him.