Ezekiel 13:3 (KJV)
Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish (Stupid: referring to a lack of ability) prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
These prophets were blessed with abilities and spiritual “potential,” but God refers to them as “stupid” because they trusted in their own “earthly” abilities and not HIS. To follow “their own spirit” meant that they were led by the flesh and not by the Holy Spirit. They preached and prophesied what the people wanted to hear, and in the case of Ezekiel 13, restoration. God does want his people to prosper, but before restoration can happen people must return to the “strait and narrow path.” How many prophets and pastors stand in the church today and preach this same message of restoration?
The “foolish prophets” in Ezekiel 13 were trying to bypass the message of God and give the people their desired outcome, but an outcome of victory, prosperity, and abundant life can never happen until we walk down the correct path. “They have seen vanity and lying divination… Ezekiel 13:6 (KJV)” These prophets believed their own lies and tried to confirm these lies by saying “thus saith the Lord Ezekiel 13:7.” They delivered a message of peace and prosperity while slandering the prophets that were bringing correction to the people.
Ezekiel 13:10-11 (KJV)
10 Because, even because they have seduced (lead astray) my people (Just as the Lord refers to “my people” to those that were slaves in Egypt, here again the Lord shows us that it is HIS PEOPLE that are being seduced), saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall (a defense), and, lo, others daubed it with untempered (foolish things) morter:
11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend it.
Jesus tells us that everything that is not planted upon the right foundation when the storm comes and the wind blows will fall and be destroyed “Matthew 7:25.” In this passage Jesus refers to a city denoting a person’s salvation, sanctification, and justification. A person’s life must be founded squarely upon the cross of Christ. The cross of Christ is the ONLY FOUNDATION that will stand the test of time.
Ezekiel 13:14 (KJV)
So will I break down the wall that ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed (end) in the midst (sever; to separate) thereof: and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
God held these “foolish prophets” accountable and God is going to hold accountable every minister today that continues to “seduce” the people. A minister with a good motive but does not preach the cross of Christ is just as guilty as the minister that has evil intentions. God knows the foundation of everyone. He perceives where we are standing. The problem is whether we truly know our foundation from God‘s prospective? The Lord will “break down the wall” meaning that he will tear down every doctrine (i.e. the bricks that make up the wall) that is being held together by false way/s (i.e. the untempered morter). My prayer is that the Lord does this now rather than later. God can only move us from the “broad path” unto the “narrow path” when the wall has been torn down and the foundation discovered. Then “ye shall know that I am the Lord,” and the only way we can move from Baal worship to worshipping the Lord is by tearing down.
Each brick of the wall would represent a doctrine and/or belief(s) ranging from the doctrine of grace “favor”, the doctrine of sanctification, the doctrine of prosperity, the doctrine of the Lord’s blessings, etc… and it is held together by “morter.” Morter is the “way” an individual believes these doctrines come to pass or are empowered. The cross of Christ is what allows “favor,” prosperity, blessings, and everything else God has to be given unto believers. Tempered morter is the cross of Christ and it is the morter that holds everything together. It touches everything, and without it we are left with a wall that cannot stand. “Untempered morter” is a wall that has left out the cross of Christ and substituted it with “other” ways i.e. “praise your way to victory,” “speak your desired future into your life,” etc.
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (KJV)
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
As stated in the beginning of this paper, the prophet points out the path of progress that the apostle has laid down. The foundation that the apostle Paul laid down is Jesus Christ and him crucified. “Another buildeth thereon” could give hints towards the prophetic. In Ezekiel 13 the Lord was angry with the “foolish prophet” for building a false wall on a false foundation.
Every foundation (i.e. what a person stands on) whether it be a person’s relationship with God, handing out water bottles, praying, going to church, etc… will not stand the test. Without the proper foundation of the cross of Christ, a person’s relationship with God will be blemished. Only through the sacrifice can mankind have a relationship with God, and if we try to circumvent the cross of Christ then we are as Cain.
Ezekiel 13:10-16 (KJV)
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 morter: 11 Say unto them which daub it with untempered morter, that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower; and ye, 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 ye have daubed it? 13 Therefore thus saith 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 ye have daubed with untempered morter, and bring it down to the ground, so that the foundation thereof shall be discovered, and it shall fall, and ye shall be consumed in the midst thereof: and ye 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 morter, 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, saith the Lord God.
Stormy wind
Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Foundation
1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (KJV)
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.