QT 21/08/2024 Wed. Ezekiel 13. Speak the truth. 说真话.

QT 21/08/2024 Wed. Ezekiel 13.
READ http://www.esvbible.org/eze13

MEDITATION: Ezekiel 13 condemned false preaching. This was not new in Israel and Judah's history, but this time it was against the "prophets of Israel" (Ezek 13:2).

The origin of these false messages was clear—self creation: "Those who prophesy from their own hearts" (Ezek 13:2,17). Popular messages of "peace" were declared even though there weren't any (Ezek 13:10,16).

Note the reversals: Words from one's own heart were presented as from the LORD (Ezek 13:2,6,7). They even expected the LORD to fulfill these false prophecies (Ezek 13:6). Furthermore, the righteous were being "disheartened" while the wicked were being "encouraged" (Ezek 13:22).

The LORD punished these false prophets so that they and the world would know that "I am the LORD" (Ezek 13:9,14,21,23).

APPLICATION: While it is virtually impossible to speak exhaustively due to various limitations of time and circumstances, the LORD condemns intentional creation of falsehood to mislead His people (Ezek 13:10). Therefore, refrain from antagonising the LORD by falsely speaking in His name. At the same time, be alert against being misled.

星期三 2024年8月21日 今日读经：以西结书13章. 说真话.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezekiel 13&version=CUVS

默想：以西结书13章谴责了虚假的说教。这在以色列和犹大的历史上并不稀奇，但这回是针对“在以色列中说预言的先知”(结13:2)。

这些假信息的源头再明显不过了----捏造的：“那些随着自己心意说预言的”(结13:2,17)。那些假先知到处宣告“平安”的信息，其实没有平安。(结13:10,16)

注意那相反的论调：他们随着自己的心意呈现出预言然后说那是耶和华的宣告(结13:2,6,7)。他们还期待耶和华实现这些虚假的预言(结13:6)。更遭的是，他们还使到那些义人“灰心”，恶人的手被“坚固”(结13:22)。

耶和华惩罚了这些假先知以至他们和全世界的人都知道“我就是耶和华”(结13:9,14,21,23)。

应用：由于时间和环境的关系，要详尽地传讲是不可能的，但耶和华是绝对谴责那些存心捏造作假并误导他的子民的人(结13:10)。所以，千万不要以耶和华的名说谎言以免惹怒他。同时要警醒，不要被误导了。