Page 61 - NOTES ON EZEKIEL

CHAPTER XIII.

The next chapter takes up the pretenders to the mind
of Jeliovali in Israel, the men and women who pro­
phesied without divine warrant, instruments of the
enemy and adversaries of His will to the ruin of His
people. This was one of the most painful trials to the
spirit then, as now to us in the church are false
brethren and false prophets, whose aim is self, and
whose means are flattering on one side, and on the other
an overbearing style suited to those whom they wish to
influence, ever seeking the depreciation and injury of
such as maintain the truth in the Lord's name. Com­
pare 2 Corinthians xi.
“ And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel
that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy
out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of Jehovah;
Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; Woe unto the foolish
prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen
nothing! 0 Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in
the deserts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither
made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in
the battle in the day of Jehovah. They have seen
vanity and lying divination, saying, Jehovah saith: and
Jehovah hath not sent them: and they have made
others to hope that they would confirm the word. Have
ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a
lyirig divination, whereas ye say, Jehovah saith it;
albeit I have not spoken? (Yer. 1—7.) To be a pro­
phet out of one's own heart is to ensure judgment