Ezekiel 13:13-23: a reflection

13“‘Therefore the Lord GOD says: “I will even tear it with a stormy wind in my wrath. There will be an overflowing shower in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it. 14So I will break down the wall that you have plastered with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be uncovered. It will fall, and you will be consumed in the middle of it. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 15Thus I will accomplish my wrath on the wall, and on those who have plastered it with whitewash. I will tell you, ‘The wall is no more, nor those who plastered it— 16to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and who see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace,’” says the Lord GOD.’” 17You, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy against them, 18and say, “The Lord GOD says: ‘Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all elbows and make veils for the head of persons of every stature to hunt souls! Will you hunt the souls of my people and save souls alive for yourselves? 19You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.’ 20“Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I am against your magic bands, with which you hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms. I will let the souls fly free, even the souls whom you ensnare like birds. 21I will also tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand; and they will no longer be in your hand to be ensnared. Then you will know that I am the LORD. 22Because with lies you have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive. 23Therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination. I will deliver my people out of your hand. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”

God speaks sharply against those who deceive his people with false messages. Some prophets had built a flimsy wall and covered it with whitewash, declaring peace where there was no peace, telling people what they wanted to hear rather than the truth. God says he will tear down that whitewashed wall and expose its emptiness. False comfort that papers over real danger is not a kindness; it leaves people unprepared for the storm.

The passage also condemns those who trapped souls for their own gain, ensnaring the vulnerable with lies and false spiritual claims for the price of a few handfuls of barley. God's anger burns because they had grieved the hearts of the faithful with lies and encouraged the wicked to keep going in their sin. But he also promises deliverance: I will tear away their snares and set my people free, like birds released from a net. God will not let his people stay ensnared by deception.

This warns and comforts at once. Beware of voices that offer false peace and flattering messages that leave sin unchallenged; a comfortable lie is more dangerous than a hard truth. And take heart that God is committed to freeing his people from deception, tearing away the snares of those who would trap them. Ask God for discernment to tell true comfort from false, and trust him to deliver you from every lie that would ensnare your soul.

Lord, guard me from voices that offer false peace and flatter me while leaving my sin unchallenged. Give me discernment to tell your true word from a comfortable lie. And thank you that you are committed to freeing your people from every snare of deception. Tear away whatever would ensnare my soul, and set me free to walk in your truth. Amen.