Ezekiel 13:17 “Now, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them.”

As I read this passage, the image that came to mind was what I would call “Christian fortunetellers.” They certainly aren’t limited to women, though I have seen several that were women. The point is, these are people who use others’ sincere desire to hear from and follow God as a tool for their own gratification, in one way or another. They use very pious-sounding language, but it boils down to hocus pocus and, as this passage talks about, ensnares rather than liberates. God will not be gentle with such people in the Judgment! It is interesting to me that in this verse, God speaks to Ezekiel about “the daughters of your people,” and then in verse 23 He says, “I will save my people.” The people of God and any other defined people group are never more than overlapping sets; they are not identical. This is very much something for American Christians to consider as they think about the current situation, and find their identity in Christ first and foremost, rather than any other way. To get back to the central point of this verse, prophecy is in a sense risky business. As New Testament believers we are urged to prophesy, (1 Corinthians 14:1) but as this verse makes clear, we must not dress up our own imagination and call it prophecy. God does speak to us, and He does speak through us to others. Our task is both to be available to Him and to stay out of the way ourselves. That’s why familiarity with Scripture is vitally important: the better we know the Word, the better we know when words are from God. In other words, we learn to recognize His voice.

This is of course extremely pertinent to me as a pastor/teacher. I have been used in direct prophecy, but not so much in this congregation. However, my prayer is that every message, and actually every conversation, be prophetic. I know from extensive experience that simply because I say something doesn’t mean God is saying it, and I must never fall into the trap of thinking that. I am never to seek to manipulate people with religious words, which is what this verse is talking about. Rather, I am to desire God’s best for each individual (which is a working definition of love) and be available for God to speak through me to them as He so pleases.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of speaking Your words after You, even occasionally. As Paul urged, I desire to do it more and more. Help me be honest and humble before You so that I won’t get in the way. May Your Spirit flow through me unhindered, for the blessing of many and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!