Journal Through the Bible: Week 81 Thursday

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Ezekiel chapter 13

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Ezekiel to prophesy against the false prophets of Israel that had lied to give the people false hope.
• God also told Ezekiel to prophesy against the false prophetesses that made amulets, good luck charms, and clothing items for the idols to hunt souls (evil spirits).

Does God make any promises?

• God promised to curse the false prophets. They would not be in the assembly of the people, they would not be in the writing of the house of Israel (Question: does that mean that their words would not be recorded as scripture like Ezekiel's visions are?), and they would not enter the land of Israel (perhaps at the end of the captivity?), and any work they built (meaning, their prophecies?) would be torn apart.
• God promised to tear apart the amulets from off their person and to release the people, their customers, from the superstitious bondage they were in by buying the charms for themselves and the idols.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• This passage talks of overthrowing superstitious and costly spiritual rituals that the false prophets and prophetesses used to prey upon the people to give them false feelings of safety and to make themselves rich. God promised to overturn their trade much like Jesus did when He overturned the moneychangers' tables at the temple.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The world is full of superstition and false religious beliefs. One day God will judge all false religious leaders and their prince and will restore true worship with the remnant that survives the judgment.