What characteristics define "prophets of Israel" who "prophesy from their own imagination"? Key Verse – Ezekiel 13:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imaginations: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ ” Portrait of the Counterfeit Prophet From Ezekiel 13 (and parallel passages such as Jeremiah 23:16-22; 27:14-16) we can list clear traits that mark those who invent their own messages: • Follow their own spirit, not the Spirit of God — v. 3 “foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing.” • Void of true revelation — v. 6 “They see false visions and speak lying divinations.” • Quick to claim divine authority they do not possess — v. 6 “They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them.” — Jeremiah 23:21 “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with a message.” • Confident in the fulfillment of their empty words — v. 6 “yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message.” • Provide shallow comfort and illusionary security — v. 10 “saying, ‘Peace,’ when there was no peace,” — v. 10 “when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash.” • Act like scavengers instead of protectors — v. 4 “Your prophets, O Israel, are like jackals among the ruins.” • Neglect the hard work of intercession and defense — v. 5 “You did not go up to the gaps or build a wall for the house of Israel to stand in battle.” • Speak lies seasoned with religious language — v. 7 “Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination… even though I have not spoken?” • Lead God’s people astray — v. 10 “Because they have led My people astray…” — Jeremiah 23:32 “They lead My people astray with their reckless lies.” • Ultimately opposed by the Lord Himself — v. 8 “I am against you, declares the Lord GOD.” — v. 9 “My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions.” Word Pictures That Expose Them • Jackals among ruins (v. 4) – opportunistic, feeding on the nation’s collapse instead of rebuilding it. • Whitewashed wall (vv. 10-15) – a façade of stability hiding fatal weakness; when judgment comes the paint cannot hold the structure. Consequences They Cannot Escape • Removal from fellowship and inheritance — v. 9 “They will not be present in the council of My people or be recorded in the register… nor will they enter the land of Israel.” • Public exposure when their words fail — v. 12 “Surely when the wall has fallen, will it not be said, ‘Where is the whitewash…?’” • Direct judgment from the Lord — vv. 13-14 Hail, windstorm, torrents—imagery of divine wrath dismantling their work. Safeguards for God’s People Today • Test every message by God’s written Word (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). • Look for fruit that matches biblical standards, not charisma alone (Matthew 7:15-20). • Value servants who “stand in the gap” through prayer, repentance, and truth-telling (Ezekiel 22:30). • Reject soothing words that contradict clear Scripture, even if they promise immediate “peace” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Takeaway Prophets who speak from imagination are self-driven, deceptive, superficial, and ultimately destructive. True servants of the Lord submit to His revelation, bear His heart, and build His people with uncompromising truth. |
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