What is the meaning of Ezekiel 14:9? But if the prophet is enticed • The text assumes the presence of a person claiming the prophetic role yet being lured off course. • Ezekiel’s wider setting (14:1-5) shows elders harboring idolatry in their hearts; that hidden rebellion opens the door to deception. • Scripture often warns that a prophet can be swayed by personal gain or public pressure—see Jeremiah 23:16-17 “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you… they speak visions from their own minds.” • The enticement does not come out of nowhere; it answers people’s prior decision to prefer lies over truth (compare 2 Timothy 4:3-4). to speak a message, • The outcome of the enticement is public proclamation. What should have been the pure word of God becomes a counterfeit. • Deuteronomy 18:20 cautions: “But the prophet who… speaks in the name of other gods is to be put to death.” • When the heart strays, the mouth soon follows (Matthew 12:34). False speech exposes the inner compromise that preceded it. • Jeremiah 14:14 shows the same chain reaction: “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name… a vision of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.” then it was I the LORD who enticed him, • God’s sovereignty is on display. He permits, even orchestrates, the delusion as an act of judicial judgment on stubborn unbelief (Isaiah 66:4). • This is consistent with 1 Kings 22:20-23, where the Lord sends a lying spirit to Ahab’s prophets, and with 2 Thessalonians 2:11 “God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” • Divine involvement never excuses the prophet’s sin; rather, it underscores that no one can manipulate God or His truth with impunity. • The Lord remains righteous: He gives people what they insist on, letting deception run its course so their hearts are fully exposed (Romans 1:24-28). and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. • The same God who allows deception also judges it. “Stretch out My hand” is covenant-courtroom language (Ezekiel 6:14; Exodus 7:4). • Removal “from among My people” echoes Deuteronomy 13:5 “That prophet… must be put to death… you must purge the evil from among you.” God defends the purity of His community. • False prophets face personal judgment (Jeremiah 23:34) and their influence is cut off (Ezekiel 13:8-9). • The severity highlights how precious God’s word is; tampering with it invites serious consequences (Revelation 22:18-19). summary Ezekiel 14:9 teaches that when hearts cherish idolatry, God may hand deceived prophets and their audiences over to the very delusion they desire. He remains completely sovereign—allowing the lie exposes rebellion—and also completely just—punishing the prophet who spoke it. The verse is a sober reminder to love truth, guard our hearts, and submit to God’s unfailing word. |
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