"Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life, therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. And you shall know that I am the Lord." - Ezekiel 13:22-23 Ezekiel, who was already living in exile in Babylon, was given the task of alerting the people still living in Jerusalem to the fact that their leaders, both political and spiritual, were leading them astray. False prophets, both men and women, were encouraging people to continue in their sin and assuring them that God had no problem with it. They criticized and ridiculed the few remaining prophets who proclaimed God’s Word in truth and purity and they discouraged those who continued to live by it. They claimed that God had given a new revelation and a new understanding that contradicted what the Scriptures said.
The results of this abandonment of God’s Word were disastrous, resulting in the complete destruction of Judah for seventy years. Long before Ezekiel, the Psalm was written: Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true... Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. Psalm 119:142, 144 God’s eternal truth doesn’t change. His Law underlies the foundations of the Universe. "He upholds the universe with His Word of power.” (Hebrews 1:3). We abandon it at our peril. But the one who upholds the Universe by His Word is also our merciful Savior, slow to anger and quick to forgive. His promises, like His commands, are forever. Lord, have mercy on us who have abandoned Your Word, ignored Your commands, and made up our own way. Remove our guilt by Your blood and give us a spirit of true repentance. Give us a converted heart of true faith, and restore us in Your ways, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Pastor Dan Giles