How does Ezekiel 13:19 relate to Jesus' warnings in Matthew 7:15? Setting the Scene in Ezekiel “You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people, who listen to lies, you have put to death those who should not die and have spared those who should not live.” – Ezekiel 13:19 Setting the Scene in Matthew “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” – Matthew 7:15 Shared Portrait of False Prophets • Deception for selfish gain – Ezekiel: prophets sell out God’s truth “for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread.” – Matthew: wolves disguise themselves as harmless sheep to secure trust and benefit. • Harm done to God’s flock – Ezekiel: “put to death those who should not die,” destroying souls by lies. – Matthew: “ravenous wolves” tear apart unsuspecting sheep. • Profaning God’s name – Ezekiel: lying leaders drag God’s reputation through the mud. – Matthew: Jesus warns that such hypocrisy undermines the Father’s glory (cf. John 8:44). Key Parallels in Practical Terms 1. Motive • Ezekiel 13:19 – appetite for material reward. • Matthew 7:15 – appetite for power, influence, and self-promotion. 2. Method • Both employ attractive cover stories and pious language. • Jeremiah 23:16-17 echoes the tactic: “They speak visions from their own minds.” 3. Outcome • Spiritual death (Ezekiel) and spiritual destruction (Matthew) land on those who embrace the lies. • 2 Peter 2:1-3 warns of the same ruin. Why Jesus’ Warning Feels like an Echo of Ezekiel • Continuity of God’s heart: centuries apart, the Lord’s passion to protect His people from deception has not changed (Malachi 3:6). • Continuity of the enemy’s playbook: disguise, distortion, and exploitation remain Satan’s favorite tools (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). • Continuity of required discernment: the ancient exiles and today’s disciples alike must test every word by God’s revealed truth (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). Guardrails for Modern Believers • Know the genuine article: steady exposure to Scripture trains us to spot counterfeits (Hebrews 5:14). • Examine the fruit: Jesus follows Matthew 7:15 with “You will recognize them by their fruit” (v. 16). Do lives and teachings align with God’s holiness? • Watch the motive: if influence or money eclipses service and sacrifice, beware (1 Timothy 6:3-5). • Stay anchored in the gospel: any message that downgrades Christ’s finished work or elevates human effort is suspect (Galatians 1:6-9). Living It Out Ezekiel 13:19 exposes the greed-driven lie; Matthew 7:15 arms us with Jesus’ timeless warning. Together they urge us to listen carefully, test diligently, and cling to the unfailing Word so that neither barley-priced lies nor sheep-costumed wolves can rob us of the life Christ freely gives. |
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