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In ch. 13, Ezekiel came down hard on the false prophets who paraded as true prophets and so misled the people. Like Jeremiah (Jer 23), Ezekiel boldly accused them of listening to their own minds, and using false visions and divinations by which they deceived the people. He also denounced the false prophetesses who practiced witchcraft and fortune-telling. Just what the various charms and devices were that they used is not clear. What is clear is the fact that they profaned [God] among [his] people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread (v.19). Also, by lying, they killed those who should not have died and . . . spared those who should not live (v.19).
It is not always easy to distinguish between the true and the false prophet. They may all appear to be equally sincere, look the same, and even use the same theological language. Often, too, those who listen to false prophets encourage them by their acceptance of their words and by giving them praise and financial support. Sometimes even false prophets are self-deceived and self-deluded, having convinced themselves that what seems right or what wins public acceptance must be true. There are two basic tests that can and must be made of any prophet: Does the prophet’s life measure up to the highest standards of morality? And does the prophet’s message measure up to known truth?
Idolatry and false prophecy go hand in hand. In ch. 14 God’s judgment on idolatry is seen as stemming from the same corruption of heart and mind that breeds false prophecy. Indeed, false prophets would have no audience, no support, if they and the people had not given their minds and hearts over to the spirit of idolatry. They refused God’s sovereignty, choosing to follow gods of their own making, gods who were a reflection of themselves and their sinfulness. So great was the sin in their hearts and in the land that God’s judgment was inevitable. Only the faithful remnant of God would survive (14:22), and they would survive only because of God’s sovereign grace.