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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:1-9

The perils of falseness. The work of God's prophets is made more difficult by the competition of pretenders. They cater for popularity by predicting only what is pleasing to flesh and blood. Hence they bring discredit on all God's revelations. In Ezekiel's day the false teachers were specially busy in Jerusalem, confronting and counteracting Jeremiah; and the sad effect of false hopes was felt at Chebar as well as in Judaea. I. CARNAL AMBITION IS OFTEN THE PARENT OF ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:1-16

The sin and punishment of false prophets. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel," etc. This subject has already been introduced in Ezekiel 12:24 . In that verse we have as it were the text, and in this chapter the sermon. It has been suggested that this chapter should be read in conjunction with Jeremiah 23:9-40 . "The identity of phrases and ideas forces upon us the conclusion that the author of the one must have had the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:4

Like the foxes in the deserts , etc. The points of comparison are manifold. The fox is cunning ( Luke 13:32 , where the term is applied to Herod Antipas). It spoils the vine and its fruits (So 2:15); it burrows among ruins ( Nehemiah 4:3 ; Lamentations 5:18 ). So the false prophets were crafty, laid waste the vineyard of the Lord of hosts ( Isaiah 5:7 ), made their profit out of the ruin of Israel, and made that ruin worse. The 'Reineke Fuchs,' in satirizing the monks and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:4

Foxes. Ezekiel here likens the false prophets to foxes in waste places. This cutting comparison shows the daring of the true prophet, the extremity of the evil of false prophecy, and the crying need of exposure of this evil. There is a limit to the reserve of politeness when truth is dishonoured and God insulted by those whom a culpable charity still flatters with terms of friendliness. Christ called Herod a fox ( Luke 13:32 ). Still, it needs the grace of Christ or the inspiration of an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:5

The verse contains two distinct images. There were breaches in the walls of Jerusalem, literally and spiritually, and the false prophets had not been as "repairers of the breach" ( Isaiah 58:12 ; Psalms 106:23 ). The hedge of the vineyard of Israel had been broken through ( Isaiah 5:5 ), and they had done nothing to restore it ( Ezekiel 22:30 ). The day of battle, the day of the Lord, had come, and they were betraying the people instead of helping. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:5

The breaches of sin, and the duty of closing them. "Ye have not gone up, into the gaps," etc. Our text suggests the following observations. I. THE PRACTICE OF SIN EXPOSES MEN TO THE GREATEST DANGERS . The text suggests the figure of a besieged city, in the walls of which breaches have been made, through which the enemy rushes in to fight with its inhabitants and to take possession of its treasures. There is perhaps a reference to the approaching siege of Jerusalem... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 13:6

The Lord saith. The verb is that specially used for the utterance of prophets, and the deceivers used it without the authority of a true mission. For they have made others (or, men ) to hope, etc; as in the Authorized Version and Revised Version, read, with the margin of Revised Version, they hope to confirm their word, taking the verb as in Psalms 119:43 , Psalms 119:49 ; Job 6:11 , et al. ) . So the Vulgate, persereraverunt confirmare. Through deceiving others, they... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 13:4

In the deserts - Foxes find a home among ruins etc. Lamentations 5:18. So the prophets find their profit in the ruin of their country. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 13:5

For - Or, before. In a time of siege when there are gaps or breaches in the walls, it is the part of the leaders to go up to defend them, and to throw up works to stop the in-road of the enemy. Yahweh is now assailing His people as an enemy (compare Isaiah 63:10; Job 16:11-13), and where are those who claim to be prophets, leaders of the people? read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezekiel 13:6

And they have made others ... - Rather, “and they hope for the confirmation of their word.” They come to believe their own lies. read more

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