When a flimsy
wall is built, they cover it with whitewash (Ezekiel 13:10).
Ezekiel warns his
audience to beware false prophets who declare, Hear the word of the
Lord (v. 2), when it is not. These men are quick to
persuade people: They lead my people astray, saying, “Peace” (v. 10a),
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 façade 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. But covering up the truth, even to spare
someone’s feelings, can be dangerous.
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 to speak God’s truth. Sometimes even the truth in love is
difficult to hear, but that’s the message with which we’ve been tasked.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Have you ever been told a
hard truth that ended up putting you back on the right path? What hard truth do
you need to hear today? What hard truth are you tasked to share with someone
you love?
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