What are the "veils" mentioned in Ezekiel 13:21, and their modern equivalents? Verse under Study “ ‘I will tear off your veils and deliver My people from your hands so they will no longer be prey. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ ” (Ezekiel 13:21) Historical Snapshot: Who Wore These Veils? • Jerusalem, c. 590 BC: women claiming prophetic gifts competed with Jeremiah and Ezekiel. • They mixed Yahweh’s name with occult charms, luring the fearful with promises of safety (13:17-19). • Their two tools: “magic bands” for wrists and “veils” for the head—items sold for “handfuls of barley and scraps of bread.” What Exactly Were the “Veils”? • Hebrew word: mikpachoth—light, wide head-coverings, more like face-shawls than normal female veils. • Worn “over every stature” (13:18)—adapted to fit any client, underscoring mass marketing. • Purpose: – Physically covered the eyes, dramatizing an altered spiritual state. – Signaled initiation into their counterfeit prophetic circle. – Functioned as occult props to “hunt souls” (13:18, 20). Why the LORD Condemned Them • They “profaned” His name (13:19) by blending truth with sorcery (cf. Deuteronomy 18:10-12). • They “discouraged the righteous” and “strengthened the wicked” (13:22). • The veils symbolized spiritual blindness: covering eyes, they hid God’s real word (cf. Isaiah 25:7). Modern Equivalents of the Veils Anything that masks truth, soothes conscience, and sells false security in religious packaging: 1. Occult Accessories • Tarot cloths, crystals, dream-catchers, “third-eye” bands—props that promise protection or insight outside Christ. 2. Mystical “Christianized” Merchandise • Trinkets marketed as guaranteed deliverance—anointed oils, prayer cloths, “miracle” bracelets sold for a seed-offering. 3. Therapeutic Spirituality with No Repentance • Positive-confession slogans that deny sin yet promise breakthrough (“manifest what you speak”). 4. Progressive Theologies that Cloak Scripture • Teachings that reinterpret plain biblical morals to suit culture, assuring hearers that God expects no change (2 Timothy 4:3). 5. Digital Echo Chambers • Algorithm-fed prophecy channels predicting rapture dates, world events, or personal words—for clicks and donations. Lessons for Today • The LORD still “tears off veils” by exposing error through His Word (Hebrews 4:12). • A removed veil brings clear sight in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:16; 4:3-4). • Discernment refuses spiritual wares that bypass repentance and obedience. Practical Discernment Checklist • Does this practice/item drive me to Scripture or to a salesperson? • Is sin confronted or glossed over? • Is Christ’s finished work central, or is a ritual/prop “essential”? • Would the apostles recognize this as gospel ministry (Galatians 1:8-9)? |
    |