Preacher! Preach Against Preachers who Preach!

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy (Ezekiel 13:2)

Preaching against other religions, denominations or even “styles” of our own denomination is thought to be bad taste preaching. It is “sour grapes” preaching. It is picking on sincere people’s choice of worship. It is taboo.

Why all of the hub-bub? This type of preaching is really nothing new and is exactly what a good biblical preacher should be doing. Look at none other than the prophet Ezekiel for example. I know, I know! Ezekiel is an Old Testament prophet. He’s from a different dispensation. If you believe in the dispensations that is. If not, he still is.

Ezekiel’s message to his own people came from the LORD and its purpose was so that Israel would know that, Jehovah was the Sovereign God. The “Sovereign LORD” theme is repetitious in the Old Testament. Three thousand years later we still believe that Jehovah is the Sovereign LORD, right? Right.

Well, we who believe in God at all believe that Jehovah is sovereign. God’s message to His people through Ezekiel was, roughly translated, “Preacher! Preach against preachers who preach false messages that misrepresent the Sovereign LORD!”

There was no beating around the proverbial bush. There was no small talk. There was no, political correctness. God’s directive was clear, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing (13.3).

My study of this passage revealed interesting insights into the word foolish that God used to describe these false prophets. Here is a quote from The Expositor’s Bible Commentary,

The word “foolish” (nābāl) implied more than our concept of stupidity. It was a broad term that encompassed spiritual and moral insensitivity contrary to the nature of a wise man. The word was used to describe people who blasphemed (Ps 74:18), who were arrogant (1 Sam 25:25), who were atheistic (Ps 14:1), and who lacked self-discipline and humility. Ezekiel described the basic cause of their foolishness as their reliance on their own hearts and failure to seek God’s revelation (cf. Jer 23:16-22; ch. 29).

I doubt that Ezekiel’s message was well received in the “religious community” but it was received. Ezekiel preached to preachers. He preached to those preacher’s congregations as well. His message to both groups was ignored and disaster was the consequence. Most in those audiences died as a result of their selective hearing and ignoring. They came to see that God was sovereign but that understanding came as they entered Hell’s gates.

Think on these things and let’s talk more tomorrow.