false prophets – Be Still…

Ezekiel 22:23-31 – He Found Nobody!

Read Ezekiel 22:23-31

No wonder the Israelites were disobedient – it trickled down from corrupt leadership. We’ve heard that before, but what struck me was that God could find nobody in all the land who “might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land.” I suppose if someone was at one time devoted, it would be easy to convert to idol worshippers just to be popular or accepted by society. It’s powerful to know God didn’t want to have to resort to total destruction. The people clearly did bring it on themselves with their disobedience and irreverence.

Even today we have pockets of believers living amidst those caught up in the snare of evil. It can be hard to not give in to fit in mindset. Thankfully God would still be able to find somebody to help him rebuild those walls. These verses speak volumes about the importance of having godly leaders, don’t they? Continue reading “Ezekiel 22:23-31 – He Found Nobody!”

Ezekiel 13:17-23 – It’s Not Just Men

Read Ezekiel 13:17-23

In case you were wondering, Ezekiel’s visions clear it up. Women can also be false prophets. From God’s message to them, it appears they are more into the magic and fortune telling gigs. It is easier to picture women sitting behind a crystal ball or a stack of tarot cards, isn’t it?

God isn’t pleased with this sort of activity at all. From God’s perspective, he sees how these female false prophets are ensnaring the innocent for destruction and empowering the guilty. In the end, God’s wrath will be known to all who are apart from God. Continue reading “Ezekiel 13:17-23 – It’s Not Just Men”

Ezekiel 13:1-16 – False Prophets

Read Ezekiel 13:1-16

There are plenty of references to the evils of false prophets in the Bible in both the old and New Testaments. Even Jesus warns us about them in Matthew 24:11-13 when he said, “And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” Do we learn anything different in God’s message through Ezekiel?

Like others before them, these false prophets were recognized as descendants of God’s people, living among the people. Yet these false prophets did nothing to support their community during battle. Their visions and predictions were nothing but lies. God’s message tells us they will be banished and unable to return to their homes. How could they claim peace where there was no peace? Continue reading “Ezekiel 13:1-16 – False Prophets”

Ezekiel 12:1-20 – Knowing God

Read Ezekiel 12:1-20

What does it take for us to recognize and know the LORD? We might recognize God moving in a lot of things, like an exquisite sunset or rescue from a tragedy or answered prayer. But how do we know God? For us, we can take Paul’s counsel in Colossians 1:15a which says, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” We can start knowing God by knowing Jesus as our Savior.

God seems intent on being known in this vision. He’s certainly making Ezekiel jump through some hoops to make that message tangible for the people to grasp. If the people can witness the future before it happens, that should open their eyes to recognize God’s hand. Just one more way to effectively get his message across. Continue reading “Ezekiel 12:1-20 – Knowing God”

2 Chronicles 18:1-8 – Watch out for Non-Believers

Read 2 Chronicles 18:1-8

Watch out, Jehoshaphat! You’ve just encountered a “slippery slope” in your association with Ahab. The Chronicler hasn’t told us anything about Israel’s King Ahab, but in 1 Kings 16-22 you can read more about King Ahab. In a nutshell, he was married to Jezebel, and her influence was great in persuading Ahab to abandon God and establish Baal worship in Israel. We know how God feels about disloyalty!

So far, at least, the story seems harmless. These kings were, after all, in-laws since two of their children had married. We get a clue that things are not all that they seem when the text says Ahab was “enticing” Jehoshaphat with such an elaborate feast.