[1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the LORD; [3] Thus says the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! [4] O Israel, your prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. [5] You have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. [6] They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD says: and the LORD has not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. [7] Have you not seen a vain vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, whereas you say, The LORD says it; albeit I have not spoken?
Verses 1-2 Expanded Bible Comments
| And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, [2] Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say you unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear you the word of the LORD; | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who did the word of the LORD come to? | Son of man, Pastor Russell. |
| What was he instructed to do? | Relay a message to "the prophets of Israel." |
| To which prophets was he to speak? | Those "that prophesy," i.e., to those in his day who were still prophesying good things for Christendom. To those "that prophesy out of their own hearts." |
| What was he to tell them? | Stop twisting the Word of the LORD to make it seem to say what you want it to say. Instead, "Hear ye the word of the LORD." |
Verses 3-4 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus says the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! [4] O Israel, your prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What normally follows when we see this phrase: "Thus saith the Lord GOD?" | Something extremely important is being said and whoever is being addressed had better pay close attention! |
| What does the LORD say about these prophets? | "Woe unto the foolish prophets." |
| Why, what did they do? | "That follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!" – In other words, they made it up. They lied to their followers for their own advantage. They interpreted God's Word by the invention of their own imagination. |
| In this verse, who is Israel? | Israel pictures Christendom (especially the religious element.) |
| What are their prophets likened to, and what does that mean? | Foxes in the desert [waste] places – (Read the Expanded Bible Comments for Song of Solomon 2:15.) Listening to the prophets (teachers) in Babylon may seem relatively harmless but it leads to the destruction of the tender grapes (fruits of the spirit) and the destruction of the true vine. |
Verse 5 Expanded Bible Comments
| You have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "You have not gone up into the gaps." What does that mean? | It means there are gaps in the walls. The walls are supposed to be maintained in good order. |
| What do hedges have to do with battle? | Suggestion: Go to the internet and look up "Battle of the Hedgerows."
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| Who were these defenses for? | "The House of Israel" – i.e., the Nominal Spiritual house, Christendom (especially the religious element.) |
| For what purpose were they supposed to be prepared? | "For the house of [nominal spiritual] Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD." |
| Summarize verse 5. | Nominal Spiritual Israel failed to prepare to fight the battle of the Day of the Lord. They did not build up their defenses with the Truth. Instead they thought the old battle tactics of fear, error and especially the three unclean spirits (doctrines) like frogs would keep them in power. |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD says: and the LORD has not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. | |
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| Question | Answer |
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The language of verse 6 may be a little confusing. This verse may be easier to understand if we look at some other translations (the first two are paraphrases) of this verse. (CEV) Those prophets lie by claiming they speak for me, but I have not even chosen them to be my prophets. And they still think their words will come true. (ERV) "Your prophets say they have seen visions. They did their magic to see what will happen next. But everything they said would happen is a lie. They claim to speak for the LORD, but the LORD did not send them. And they still think that what they said is what will happen." (English Standard Version) "They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them, and yet they expect him to fulfill their word." |
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| "They have seen.." – Who is "they?" | "They" are the religious leaders of Christendom. |
| What did "they" see and what does that mean? | They have seen: "Vanity and lying divination." Vanity because they told their followers "This is what God really meant by what he said. Never mind what you may think the Bible says, we will tell you what it really means." Lying divination because they continued to push the "three unclean spirits" (i.e., these doctrines are from fallen angels – especially from their leader Satan.) – Remember the description of the three unclean spirits like frogs says "for they are the spirits of devils.." Rev. 16:13-14. |
| What do "they," under the influence of the "lying divination," say? | "This [what we say] is what the LORD says. You need to remember that we are the Lord's, i.e., He has sent us to explain His words to you." |
| Is what "they" say true? | Absolutely not. "The LORD has not sent them." |
| What is meant by "They have made others to hope that they would confirm the word?" | They seem to think (hopefully but without any real basis other than this is what they want) that what they say will come true, and that by continually repeating it to others, they too will believe it.
We might add that the word "others" is supplied, though the majority of translators seem to include "others." Several translations make no reference to "others." Also the word "hope" carries more the thought of "wait" or "tarry." For example the Jubilee Bible translates this phrase as: "they have made others to wait for the word to be confirmed." |
Verse 7 Expanded Bible Comments
| Have you not seen a vain vision, and have you not spoken a lying divination, whereas you say, The LORD says it; albeit I have not spoken? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is their "vain vision" and their "lying divination?" | Vain vision: "All things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Pet. 3:4
Lying divination: The three unclean spirits. Rev. 16:13-14. |
| What does the Lord say about their vision? | "I have not spoken it." |
[8] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord GOD.
[9] And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD.
[10] Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar:
[11] Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
[12] Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?
[13] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it.
[14] So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and you shall know that I am the LORD.
[15] Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it;
[16] To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord GOD.
[8] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Because you [the prophets] have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you [the prophets], says the Lord GOD. [9] And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they [the prophets] shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they [the prophets] be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they [the prophets] enter into the land of Israel; and you [Israel] shall know that I am the Lord GOD. [10] Because, even because they [the prophets] have seduced my people [Israel], saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others [the prophets] daubed it with untempered mortar: [11] Say unto them [the prophets] which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. [12] Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you [the prophets], Where is the daubing wherewith you [the prophets] have daubed it? [13] Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; I will even rend it [the wall] with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it [the wall]. [14] So will I break down the wall that you have [the prophets] daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and you [the prophets] shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and you [the prophets] shall know that I am the LORD. [15] Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them [the prophets] that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you [the prophets], The wall is no more, neither they [the prophets] that daubed it; [16] To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord GOD.
Verse 8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why does this verse begin with "therefore?" | Because the law of "cause and effect" is in play. |
| What does the Lord say is the cause? | "Because you have spoken vanity, and seen lies." |
| What does the Lord say is the effect? | "I am against you." |
| Is this a good position for them to be in? | This is the worst possible condition to be in! |
Verse 9 Expanded Bible Comments
| And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Who are "the prophets that see vanity?" | Primarily the religious leaders of Christendom. |
| What is meant by the phrase "that divine lies?" | The falsehoods they present as being truth are said by them to be from God. Especially the "three unclean spirits." |
| What is meant by "the assembly of my people?" | The secret society of God's true people, the saints. |
| What is meant by "the writing of the house of Israel?" | The false prophets will not find themselves written in the lamb's book of life. |
| What is meant by "Neither shall they enter into the land of Israel?" | The land of Israel is the land of promise. The heavenly promises definitaly do NOT belong to these false prophets (religious leaders) of nominal spiritual Israel. |
| "You shall know that I am the LORD GOD." Is this different from "they" used throughout most of this verse? | Probably. It appears to refer to (nominal spiritual) Israel, whereas "they" was referring to the (false) prophets (religious leaders). |
Verse 10 Expanded Bible Comments
| Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar: | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "Because, even because.." Why the repetition? | The word is Strong's H3285 and it is doubled (repeated.) In both the Hebrew and Greek languages, when we see this occur it indicates an extra emphasis on the word. |
| Who is "they?" | The (false) prophets of Israel. |
| How have "they" seduced God's people? | By saying "Peace; and there was no peace." – Jer. 8:11 |
| What wall was built up? | Walls symbolize protections. For the religious element of Christendom their walls included the civil power and also their system of false doctrines, especially the Three Unclean Spirits like Frogs. |
| What is "untempered mortar?" | untempered – not brought to a proper consistency or hardness; "untempered mortar"; "untempered steel" unhardened. – The Free Dictionary |
Verse 11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Say unto them which daub it with untempered mortar, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and you, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "Say unto them.." Who is speaking? To whom is he speaking? | The "Son of man" is speaking, delivering the message from God. He is speaking to the (false) prophets of (nominal spiritual) Israel. |
| ".. which daub it.." What is it that they are daubing? | The wall or protection of the city, Mystic Babylon, Christendom. Christendom's walls were it's false teachings (especially the three unclean spirits and the trinity) and the State (Kings) with which the nominal church was united. |
| ".. with untempered mortar." How is it that they are daubing with "untempered mortar?" What does that mean? | They (the false prophets of Christendom) were using untempered (un-developed, un-proven) doctrines to shore up the protection (walls) of Christendom, i.e., their teachings were (at the most) loosely based on the Bible, but not proven to be true. |
| What is to be the result of this action? | "It (Christendom, the city) shall fall." |
| What is the "overflowing (rain) shower?" | A large outpouring of Truth (water.) |
| What are the "great hailstones?" - Are they different from normal hailstones? | The hard truths brought to light in this Day of the Lord. Rev. 16:21 |
| What is pictured by "the stormy wind?" | 1 Kings 19:11; 4_Winds |
| What does this "stormy wind" do? | It rends the wall (protection) of Christendom. There is a clue in the statement that the "wind shall rend it." This draws us to 1 Kings 19:11 where Elijah sees the 4 manifestations of God's power. The first is "a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD." This we know (from other studies) has reference to the First World War. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Lo, when the wall is fallen, shall it not be said unto you, Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is (or was) "the wall?" | The false teachings of the nominal church and their union with the civil powers of Europe. Remember, Christendom (Christ's Kingdom) was the ilicit union between the false church and the civil power of the Roman Empire. |
| At what point in time does the wall fall? | It has at least 3 time points. 1878 when the church nominal was cast off. 1914 when the stone smote the image. 1918 when the fighting of WWI came to an end and all the Kings (save one) had either been dethroned or had abdicated. |
| Shall it not be said unto you. Who is "you?" | The prophets (religious leaders of Christendom.) |
| What is meant by "Where is the daubing wherewith you have daubed it?" | The daubing of a wall would be the shoring up or strengthening of the wall. Plugging any leaks, etc. This is what the religious leaders of Christendom should have been doing. They should have been plugging the up their doctrinal teachings with the Truth. Instead they kept preaching the same tired song of the three unclean spirits. |
Verse 13 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my fury; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in my fury to consume it. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why does this verse begin with "Therefore?" | The Law of Cause and Effect is again in play. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." – Sir Isaac Newton |
| Based on who "says," how sure are we that what follows is accurate? | We can be more sure of this than we are of our next breath. |
| What is meant by "I will even rend it with a stormy wind?" | This seems a clear reference to 1 Kings 19:11. According to Pastor Russell (the one who here delivers this message from God,) this was the Great War that began in 1914. What Pastor Russell taught on the 4 Winds |
| What is "the overflowing shower?" | The shower of Truth, so much as to constitute a flood. |
| What is pictured by the "great hailstones?" | The seventh plague. Rev. 16:21 |
Verse 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| So will I break down the wall that you have daubed with untempered mortar, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and you shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and you shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is to happen to "the wall?" | "I will break down the wall.. and bring it down to the ground." |
| What was meant by "the foundation therefore shall be discovered." | The foundation is the base upon which all is built. The wall of the religious element of Christendom was basically two-fold. (1) The civil power, i.e., the Kings of Europe, and (2) their false doctrines. For the Lord's true people our foundation is (in a sense) also two-fold. (1) Our God – Psa. 18:29. (2)The Ransom. 1 Cor. 3:11 The foundation false doctrines of Christendom have been laid bare. We can clearly see that the "Divine right of kings, clergy, etc." are false. We can also see that the foundation doctrines of the trinity and the mass are also without any basis in reality. |
| "It [the wall] shall fall." – Has this been fulfilled? If so, when and how? | The wall (protection) for Christendom (especially the religious element) fell with WWI and the smiting of the image (Dan. 2) when the iron (civil power) and clay (worldly religious power) were smashed. The religious teachings, especially the 3 unclean spirits (Rev. 16:23-14) came crashing down at that time as well. |
| "And you shall be consuumed in the midst thereof." – Has this been fulfilled? If so, when and how, and what relation does their being destroyed in the midst have to do with the falling of the wall? | The religious leaders of Christendom were consumed along with Christendom (Christ's Kingdom falsely so-called) itself with the smiting of the image. This does not mean the religious teachers as individuals, but without Christendom, the teachers of Christendom (the "prophets of Israel") were destroyed as a class. |
| "You shall know that I am the LORD." Who is "you" and when shall they know "that I am the LORD?" | "You" refers to those who daubed the wall with untempered mortar, i.e., the false prophets of nominal Christendom.
As to when they "know" that the LORD has done this, it likely comes in two ways. 1) When the walls of Christendom collapsed (1914-18) and proved their false predictions to be lies, and 2) when the reality of all this sinks in. No more Divine right of kings, clergy, etc., their parishioners staging a mass exodus from the churches, etc. |
Verses 15-16 Expanded Bible Comments
| Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them that have daubed it with untempered mortar, and will say unto you, The wall is no more, neither they that daubed it; [16] To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, says the Lord GOD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall." What is God's wrath? | "The seven last plagues, for in them is filled up the wrath of God." Rev. 15:1 |
| What does it mean for God's wrath to be accomplished "upon the wall?" | The wall represents the protection of Christendom. The wrath of God, the plagues, are upon Christendom and they are deserving of the plagues. |
| Does this verse indicate that God's wrath is upon both the wall and "them that have daubed it with untempered mortar?" | Yes. |
| "And will say unto you.." To whom is God speaking? | The answer to this question is the entire 16th verse, i.e., the false prophets of Israel (Christendom.) |
| AFTER accomplish His will regarding both the WALL and the FALSE PROPHETS, what does God say to the false prophets about the WALL and about the FALSE PROPHETS? | "The WALL is no more." "Neither they that daubed it," i.e., the FALSE PROPHETS also are "no more". |
| If the FALSE PROPHETS are "no more," how can God give them this message? | They are no longer false prophets of Christendom because "Christ's Kingdom, falesly so-called" has come to an end. The wall of their civil power is gone. This does not mean that the religious element of Christendom (the "clay" of the image in Dan. 2:35,41-44) still remains, even though greatly weakened. |
| In verse 16 it says "There is no peace." Is this in conflict with Isa. 26:3 and Psa. 119:165? Please explain. | The texts cited are promises for the faithful, not for the unfaithful, such as these false prophets. |
[17] Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, [18] And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? [19] And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
Verse 17 Expanded Bible Comments
| Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them, | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why does this verse begin with "Likewise?" | |
| To whom are the instructions here given? | Son of man, Pastor Russell. |
| What does it mean to "set thy face against..?" | It means to take a stand in opposition to, as opposed to turning ones face away or hiding. |
| Who are "the daughters of thy people?" | "Thy people" would be those who are supposedly his brethren. This would indicate the church nominal. |
| How was the "son of man" to identify these? | They are those which "prophesy out of their own heart."
Does this mean that the "son of man" could to read their heart? – No. It means that the Lord had revealed unto him the Truth of His Divine Plan to the degree that it was clear the teachings of those in the nominal church systems were NOT the teachings of God. Therefore they must be of human imagination. |
| What was "the son of man" told to do? | "Prophesy [speak publicly] thou against them," i.e., call them out. |
Verse 18 Expanded Bible Comments
| And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you? | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What was the first thing "the son of man" supposed to say to them? | This message is from God. – "Thus saith the Lord GOD." |
| Why does it say "Woe to the women..?" | While the word "women" is supplied by the translators that does not make it an incorrect thought. Since in bible times it was the woman who did the sewing, translating this as applying to "women" seems to be correct. This also fits the context - "set thy face against the daughters [women] of thy people.." (vs 17.) Symbolically women picture churches. |
| What does it mean to sew pillows for peoples arms? | Strong's H3704
This word only appears here and in verse 20. Several translations give the thought that this refers to "magical charms" or "magical bracelets." Rotherham refers to them as "oracle cases."
כֶּסֶת keseth keh'-seth From H3680; a cushion or pillow (as covering a seat or bed): - pillow. |
| What does it mean to make kerchiefs for the head? | Strong's H4555
Women used to cover their faces with a veil to provide a sense of mystery. Br. Fisher:מִסְפָּחָה mispâchâh mis-paw-khaw' From H5596; a veil (as spread out): - kerchief. "Woe to the churches (women) that practice superstition (sew amulets about their elbows - an oriental method of incantation), and wear veils of mystery to ensnare men." – FM434 |
| Why make them "for the head of persons of every stature?" (RVIC) | Because the slaughter of this Day of the Lord is to include people of every rank. This is the parallel to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. |
| To what purpose were they doing these things? | "To hunt souls!" – Prov. 6:5; Jer. 5:26-27; Matt. 23:15 |
| Whose souls do they hunt? | "The souls of my people." We see at least three possibilities here: 1) Mainly the spirit-begotten who were in Babylon at that time. 2) "My people" may refer to those who claimed to be His people but were not, i.e., those of nominal Christendom. 3) Those tentatively Justified still within their ranks, i.e., those who might go on to consecration. |
| What about the souls that come to them? | "Will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?" Sound familiar? "Have you been saved? Have you been born again?" Of course neither the nominal church systems nor their people can save any that come to them. They have lost the power of the Truth and can no longer point even themselves, much less others, to the true path, to the only name by which one may be saved. Acts 4:12 |
Verse 19 Expanded Bible Comments
| And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies? | From the Good News Bible (generally considered to be a paraphrase) "You dishonor me in front of my people in order to get a few handfuls of barley and a few pieces of bread. You kill people who don't deserve to die, and you keep people alive who don't deserve to live. So you tell lies to my people, and they believe you." |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is pictured by barley? | The Great Company. Consider Rev. 6:6. |
| What is pictured by bread? | The Word of God. Matt. 4:4 | What is meant by "And will ye pollute me among my people?" | "Will you, by your false teachings, pollute my character in the eyes of my people?" |
| For what purpose would they do this? | To gain some small amount of respect by possibly retaining some of the Lord's people (great company) and for some small amount of the Truth of the Lord's word (bread.) |
| How is it they could "slay the souls that should not die?" | Rev. 6:9; Rev. 20:4 |
| How is it they could "save the souls alive that should not live?" | Matt. 23:15 |
| How do they accomplish these last two? | "By your lying to my people." |
| What is meant by the phrase "my people that hear your lies?" | This referes to those who are nominally the Lord's people. Jer. 5:31; 2 Tim. 4:3 |
[20] Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. [21] Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [22] Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: [23] Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
Verse 20 Expanded Bible Comments
| Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| Why does this verse begin with "Wherefore?" | This word is Strong's H3651. It is the same word that is translated "Therefore" in verse 13. Basically this says: "Because of your actions and attitudes described above, I am about to take the following action:" |
| "I am against your pillows.." What are their "pillows?" | Verse 18 – magical charms or bracelets, "oracle cases." In other words, doctrines of devils. |
| What is meant by "wherewith ye there hunt the souls..?" | These amulets, charms, these doctrines of devils are what these false prophets are using to capture all they can, especially (if it were possible,) the Lord's people, the "eagles" of Matt. 24:28. |
| How is it that this is done "to make them fly?" | The word "fly" is Strong's H6524
Strong's H6524
פָּרַח pârach paw-rakh' A primitive root; to break forth as a bud, that is, bloom; generally to spread; specifically to fly (as extending the wings); figuratively to flourish: - X abroad, X abundantly, blossom, break forth (out), bud, flourish, make fly, grow, spread, spring (up). |
Verse 21 Expanded Bible Comments
| Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is meant by tearing the kerchiefs? | Going along with Br. Fisher's explanation, Kerchiefs "veils of mystery to ensnare men." God here promises to tear away these veils of mystery. |
| How does this help to "deliver my people out of your hand?" | By removing these "veils of mystery" it helps the Lord's people to see the Truth. |
| How does this free the Lord's people from being hunted? | The removal of this veil (kerchief) not only shows the true face of Christendom to the Lord's people, thus freeing them, but it also shows Christendom's true colors to the world. After this is seen, their power to "hunt" the Lord's people down is greatly diminished. |
| "Ye shall know that I am the LORD." Who is "ye" and just what is meant by this statement? | "Ye" refers to the hunters, the women (churches) who were still trying to hide their true characteristics from those who would be their followers. This is very similar to Eze. 8:12 where those who claim to speak for God seem to believe either that He ignores the situation or He does not exist. The action here taken by the LORD causes them to realize that their downfall is caused by Him (whether they outwardly admit it or not.) |
Verse 22 Expanded Bible Comments
| Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life: | |
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| Question | Answer |
| "With lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad." Just how does this work? | Because "the heart of the righteous studieth to answer" (Pro. 15:28,) if all they have to study are the lies of the false prophets of Christendom, telling them that they must accept horrible teachings like eternal torment etc., the heart of the righteous would naturally be sad. To think that this is the character of their God would sadden anyone who truly believes it. |
| What is the difference between what the "lies" do and what He does? | "Whom I have not made sad." The true teachings of God are fantastic and wonderfully uplifting to those whose hearts are righteous. |
| "Ye have.. strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life." Does history record the fulfillment of this? | B335 Such complete disregard for human life and dignity can only be the work of the Devil. This once again shows the link between "The Prince of Tyrus" (the pope) and "The King of Tyrus" (the Devil) - Eze. 28 |
Verse 23 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. | |
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| Question | Answer |
| What is the "vanity" of this verse? | The vanity of fallen human teachings which sets a man up high and brings God down low. |
| What are the "divinations?" | Getting ideas and/or instructions from those "angels which kept not their first estate." Jude 6 Divinations would be getting instruction in doctrine from those who are in league with the fallen angels and with Satan, thus these are "doctrines of devils." 1 Tim. 4:1. |
| Why will they "see no more vanity?" | Perhaps the most obvious of their "vain visions" was that of the three unclean spirits (doctrines of devils) like frogs (see next line comments.) - R510:5 |
| Why will they no longer "divine divinations?" | Since "they" were among the religious leaders of Christendom and Christendom ("Christ's Kingdom falsely so-called") no longer exists, "they" cannot fall back on the doctrines of devils as indicated in Rev. 16:13-14. |
| How does the Lord deliver "my people out of your hand?" | He does this by opening unto His true people the understanding of Present Truth by the means of His choosing, i.e., through the Seventh Messenger. Rev. 10:7 |