To make him, add, with Revised Version, an astonishment; or better, I will make him amazed , as in Ezekiel 32:10 . The words are an echo of Deuteronomy 28:37 . The man's punishment shall be open and notorious, so as to strike terror into others. read more
I the Lord have deceived that prophet, etc. The teaching of modern thought is to soften language like this into "I have permitted him to be deceived." The distinction was seldom, if ever, present to the mind of the Old Testament, or indeed of the New Testament, writers. It is Jehovah who sends the "lying spirit" in 1 Kings 22:20-23 . It is he who in the latter days shall send men "strong delusions" that they shall believe a lie ( 2 Thessalonians 2:11 ). In both cases it is implied that... read more
The prophet's punishment. The prophet is to be punished equally with the rest of the people, because his guilt is equal to theirs. The pleas and excuses which he might suggest are all swept away as so many refuges or lies. I. ECCLESIASTICAL RANK . There was a recognized professional distinction between the prophets and the people; the prophets belonged to a separate order. But "orders" have no saving efficacy. The status of the Christian ministry affords certain earthly privileges,... read more
The misleader and the misled. One of the features of Israelitish life at this epoch of the Captivity was the evident number and power of false prophets. General excitement and change are, of course, favourable to imposture. Men sought everywhere for guidance, comfort, hope; but, instead of having recourse to the authorized prophets of the Lord, they went to the pretentious and deceptive religious guides who seem to have traded upon the misfortunes of their country. These men were in the... read more
The stranger - They who sojourned among Israel, though they were not of Israel, were bound to abstain from idol-worship Leviticus 17:10; Leviticus 20:2.By myself - Or, as in Ezekiel 14:4, “according to” Myself. He who comes to inquire with a heart full of idolatry shall have his answer,(1) “according to the multitude of his idols” - in delusion,(2) “according to the holiness of God” - in punishment.The inquiry was hypocritical and unreal - but God will answer not by the mouth, but by the hand,... read more
Will make him - Or, I will make him amazed Ezekiel 32:10; or, astonished, so as to be a sign and a proverb. read more
I the Lord hare deceived that prophet - A deep truth lies beneath these words, namely, that evil as well as good is under God’s direction. He turns it as He will, employing it to test the sincerity of men, and thus making it ultimately contribute to the purification of His people, to the confirmation of the righteous, to the increase of their glory and felicity. The case of the false prophets who deceived Ahab 1 Kings 22:0 is a striking representation of this principle. The Lord sends forth an... read more
Ezekiel 14:6-8. Therefore say, Repent Be truly sorry for your past sins, and give proof of your sorrow by forsaking them, &c.; and turn from your idols Separate yourselves from them, that they may not finally and eternally separate you from God. And turn away your faces Your heart and ways; from all your abominations Not only from all your idolatries, but from all sinful practices. Turn your faces from them, abhor the very sight of them; not only forsake them, but do it with... read more
Ezekiel 14:9-12. And if the prophet be deceived Or, seduced. This is to be understood of the false prophets, whose practices are reproved throughout the whole foregoing chapter. I the Lord have deceived that prophet I Jehovah have suffered him to be deceived; I have given him up to strong delusions, as a just judgment upon him for going after idols, and setting up false pretences to inspiration, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. Or the words may signify, I will disappoint the expectations of... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ezekiel 14:7
God's answer. "I the Lord will answer him by myself." The people inquire of the false prophets, but God himself will answer them. The question concerning the coming danger will be settled by the event. That will be God's answer, and it will put an end to all doubt on the one side, and to all deception on the other. I. THE PROMISE OF GOD 'S ANSWER . There are questions which grievously perplex us, and to which, as yet, we can get no reply. Those that are frivolous may never be... read more