CHAPTER XIII _This chapter denounces heavy judgments against the lying_ _prophets who flattered the people, in the midst of their sin_ _and danger, with false hopes of peace and security_, 1-9. _The work of these deceivers is beautifully compared to a frail_ _and insolent piece of building, whi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:2. _THAT PROPHESY OUT OF THEIR OWN HEARTS_] Who are _neither_ _inspired_ nor _sent_ by ME. _They are prophets out of their own_ _hearts_. They have their mission from their own _assumption_, and proceed in it from their own _presumption_. Such either go of _themselves_, or are sent... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:4. _THY PROPHETS ARE LIKE THE FOXES IN THE DESERTS._] The cunning of the _fox_ in obtaining his prey has been long proverbial. These false prophets are represented as the foxes who, having got their prey by great subtlety, run to the desert to hide both themselves and it. So the fal... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:5. _YE HAVE NOT GONE UP INTO THE GAPS_] Far from opposing sinners, who are bringing down the wrath of God upon the place, you prevent their repentance by your flattering promises and false predictions. Ye have neither by prayers, example, nor advice, contributed any thing for the pr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:9. _THEY SHALL NOT BE IN THE ASSEMBLY OF MY PEOPLE_] They shall not be reputed members of my Church. They shall not be reckoned in the genealogy of true Israelites that return from captivity; and they shall never have a possession in the land; they shall be exhereditated and expatri... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:10. _ONE BUILT UP A WALL_] A true prophet is as _a wall of_ _defense_ to the people. These false prophets pretend to _be a wall_ _of defense_; but their _wall_ is bad, and their _mortar_ is worse. One gives a _lying vision_, another pledges himself that it is _true_; and the people... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:11. _THERE SHALL BE AN OVERFLOWING SHOWER_] That shall wash off this bad mortar; sweep away the ground on which the wall stands, and level it with the earth. In the eastern countries, where the walls are built with _unbaked bricks_, desolations of this kind are often occasioned by t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:17. _SET THY FACE AGAINST THE DAUGHTERS OF THY PEOPLE,_ _WHICH PROPHESY_] From this it appears that there were _prophetesses_ in the land of Israel, that were really _inspired_ by the Lord: for as a _false religion_ necessarily implies a _true one_, of which it is the _ape_; so _fal... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:18. _THAT SEW PILLOWS TO ALL ARM HOLES_] I believe this refers to those _cushions_ which are so copiously provided in the eastern countries for the apartments of women; on which they sit, lean, rest their heads, and prop up their arms. I have several drawings of eastern ladies, who... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:20. _THE SOULS THAT YE HUNT TO MAKE_ THEM _FLY._] לפרחות _lephorechoth_, into the _flower gardens_, says _Parkhurst_. These false prophetesses decoyed men into these gardens, where probably some impure rites of worship were performed, as in that of אשרה _Asherah_ or _Venus_. See _Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:21. _YOUR KERCHIEFS_] _Nets_, or _amulets_, as some think.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:22. _WITH LIES YE HAVE MADE THE HEART OF THE RIGHTEOUS SAD_] Here is the _ministry_ of these false prophetesses, and its effects. _They told lies_: they would _speak_, and they had no _truth_ to tell; and therefore spoke _falsities_. They "saddened the souls of the righteous, and st... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezekiel 13:23. _YE SHALL SEE NO MORE VANITY_] They pretended _visions_; but they were _empty_ of _reality_. _NOR DIVINE DIVINATIONS_] As God would not speak to them, they employed _demons_. Where God is not, because of the iniquity of the people, the _devil_ is, to strengthen and support that... [ Continue Reading ]