Ezekiel 14 - Introduction

Answer to idolaters who inquire of the Lord

In ch. 13. Ezekiel had denounced the false prophets who led the people astray, and had threatened them with extirpation from the community of the Lord. But the question of false prophecy is not yet exhausted. It has another side. It is true that false prophets mislead the people, but it is equally true that it is to a wrong-minded people that the existence of false prophets is due. The strong current of perverse inclination in the people sweeps the prophet away before it; he is enticed, and entering into the mind of the people, gives such prophecies as coincide with their desires. The evil of false prophecy is due to a deeper and more pervasive evil than itself; it is indeed a judgment from God upon the fundamental sin of the people, their idolatry (Ezekiel 14:9). Therefore the true prophet has only one answer to give to the people who consult him Put away your idolatries. The chapter has two parts:

First, Ezekiel 14:1. There shall no answer be given by the prophet to idolaters who inquire through him but the answer, "Put away your idolatries or look for the judgment of God." If a prophet lets himself be enticed to answer the people after their mind, he and they shall perish together.

Secondly, Ezekiel 14:12. The principle of the Divine judgment. The presence of righteous men among a sinful people shall not save the sinners; the righteous shall deliver only their own souls.