When a flimsy wall is built, they cover it with whitewash. (Ezekiel 13:10)Ezekiel warns his audience to beware of false prophets who declare, This is the word of the Lord when it is not. These men are quick to persuade people: Everything's going to be alright, even when the opposite is true.
They build a flimsy wall of lies and then cover it with whitewash to make it look strong... but it's a facade that won't stand up to real life.
The Apostle Paul writes about speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The truth without love isn't the truth; it's just facts. No matter how accurate, without love it's still not the truth.
Ezekiel is writing about men, supposedly speaking on God's behalf, who withhold the truth. He doesn't give us the details of why these false prophets lie. Maybe they are afraid of the kill the messenger syndrome. Perhaps they don't want to throw a wet blanket on the meager hope the people have grasped. It could be that they love the people and just don't want to be the bearer of bad news.
On Day 248 we discussed how Ezekiel wasn't responsible for the reaction to his message; he was only responsible for bringing the message. Sometimes even the truth in love is difficult to hear, but that's the message with which we've been tasked.
Have you ever been told a hard truth that ended up putting you back on the right path?
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