Bible Commentaries

The next movement in the prophesying was a denunciation of false prophets and prophetesses. The prophets were not inspired by the Spirit of God, but followed their own spirit. In so doing they had, like foxes, destroyed the very fences of the vineyard of God instead of restoring and strengthening them. They had spoken in the name of the Lord without His authority. In the place of divine inspiration had been the divination of wickedness. Because of this, Jehovah was against them, and they would be cut off from the council of His people and from the land of Israel. Their immediate sin had been promising peace when judgment was determined. By their messages they had given a false sense of security, which Ezekiel likened to a wall built with untempered mortar. Against this Jehovah would proceed as a stormy wind, in fury sweeping it down with those who built it.

The prophetesses had been guilty of the same evil prophesying "out of their own heart" the things which pleased the people, and that for their own enrichment. Against them also Jehovah would proceed, delivering the people out of their hand.

This burden against the false prophets and prophetesses ended once more with the declaration of purpose, "Ye shall know that I am the Lord." It is a graphic setting forth of the awful peril of misrepresenting Jehovah. There is no deadlier sin than to profess to speak His messages, and at the same time be motivated by anything other than the glory of His name.