Ezekiel

Ezekiel 13: God opposes lying prophets

Begin in prayer

Before hearing God's answer to lying prophets, let us ask Him to guard our ears and hearts. Ask Him for still hearts, His presence with this family and eyes to see Christ as we read Ezekiel 13.

“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, then where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is the respect due me? Says Yahweh of Armies to you, priests, who despise my name. You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’

Malachi 1:6

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Help us recognize the danger of false peace and see the peace that Jesus secured through His cross. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God sends Ezekiel against prophets who follow their own spirits and falsely claim that the LORD has spoken. He will exclude them from His people and their land. Their promises of peace are like a whitewashed wall that God will destroy in a storm, consuming the prophets with it. Women who prophesy from their own hearts also hunt souls with pillows and head coverings. Their lies for barley and bread profane God, grieve the righteous and strengthen the wicked against turning from sin. The LORD will end their false visions and deliver His people from their hands.

As you read Ezekiel 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God opposes lying prophets and delivers His people from their deceptive words.

The prophets' failure begins with speaking from their own spirits while claiming God's authority for words He has not given. They leave the people's breaches unrepaired, so their message does nothing to prepare Israel to stand in the day of the LORD. Whitewash makes a weak wall look sound, just as their promise of peace hides danger without removing it. God's storm exposes that deception by destroying both the wall and those who cover it. The women likewise use supposed prophecy to hunt souls, receiving barley and bread while lying to people who listen to them. Their harm reaches both righteous and wicked, grieving those God has not made sad and strengthening sinners against turning to live. Thus the lies encourage the sins that bring death while attacking those who should be encouraged in righteousness. God's rescue tears away the means of this deception and ends false visions, making His people know who delivers them.

How does Ezekiel 13 show us that God opposes lying prophets and delivers His people from their deceptive words?

God rejects words He has never spoken.

The prophets follow their own spirits while claiming the LORD has spoken (verses 1 to 9). God has neither sent them nor given their visions. He declares that He is against them and will exclude them from His people.

God tears down the safety that lies promise.

The prophets promise peace where there is none, like people covering a wall with whitewash (verses 10 to 16). God's storm will expose its foundation. The wall and those who plaster it will perish under His wrath.

God rescues His people from harmful lies.

The women hunt souls with pillows and head coverings, profaning God for barley and bread (verses 17 to 23). Their lies kill souls who should not die and save alive souls who should not live (verse 19). God will end their false visions and deliver His people.

Memorize

Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” says the Lord Yahweh.

Ezekiel 13:8

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what pleasing lie am I believing, and will I trust Jesus, who tells the truth?

God says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!” Their words leave people exposed to the judgment God has announced. A comforting message is no refuge when it contradicts Him. We need peace that the Lord Himself provides.

Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross (Colossians 1 verse 20). He bore the punishment for His people's sins, dying for them to reconcile them to God. His sacrifice accomplished their salvation and is enough to bring them near. He rose to life again, and His promise of mercy rests on that completed work.

Turn from the sin that lies excuse, and trust the risen Jesus. He will forgive every sinner who comes to Him. Please hear His true word even when it exposes your guilt. The Savior who tells the truth can give the peace that false promises never supply.

Parent's note

Tell your children that a pleasant lie cannot save them, and Jesus made peace through His death and resurrection. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for truth that exposes false peace, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

Father, thank You for speaking truth and providing peace through Jesus Christ. Forgive our love of words that excuse sin, and help each one turn from sin and trust Him. Please teach us to test what we hear by Your Word and speak truth to one another. Amen.