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Daily Devotions

Ezekiel

Ezekiel 
Day 
Day 119

"Prophesy against the prophets of Israel"

Text: Ezekiel 13:2

THE FALSE PROPHETS OF ISRAEL

There were many false prophets in ancient Israel. King Ahab retained 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19). The false prophets continued to plague Israel right up to last days of the nation of Israel.

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy,
and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart,
‘Hear the word of the LORD!””
Ezekiel 13:1-2

1. The Lord spoke to Ezekiel concerning the false prophets.

a) The true prophets were always lesser in number.

b) They had to find the courage to resist the false prophets.

c) There were writing prophets.

d) There were also non-writing prophets.

e) But all had to receive a word from the LORD.

2. The false prophets.

a) Ezekiel had to understand the false prophets better.

b) They were prophets within Israel.

i) They were fellow Jews.

ii) They were not Gentile prophets.

iii) They had a major influence on Israel.

iv) They were actively prophesying in Israel.

3. How were they doing their work of prophesying?

a) They did not have a word from God at all.

b) They prophesied out of their own heart.

c) But they will copy the way the true prophets spoke.

d) They say to all who came to them.

“Hear the word of the Lord”

i) They claimed that their word was from God.

ii) They prophesied as if they were true prophets.

iii) They were nevertheless “false prophets!”