Evil Will Not Reign

O. T. #1882 "Evil Will Not Reign"

Feb. 16, 2021

Ezekiel 13-Part 3

Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divinations: for I will deliver My people out of your hand and ye shall know that I am the LORD. (verse 23)

LET IT GLOW

The false prophets covered their lies (wall) with whitewash-a clean-looking and pleasing covering or front. such superficially can't hold up under God's scrutiny. He can always see what's underneath the surface.

Few of the Jews wanted to hear what Ezekiel had to say, for his message warned of God's impending judgment. They were on the brink of an invasion that would soon destroy Judah and its people, then send others into exile. They wanted to listen to prophets who declared soothing words, tell them that Ezekiel was wrong and soon the nation would experience peace. (Billy Graham's devotional, Wisdom for Each Day)

In the Bible, the gift of prophecy was given to women as well as men. Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and Huldah (2Kings 22:14) were considered prophetesses. But women mentioned here are more like the medium of 1 Samuel 28:7, and they are condemned for discouraging the righteous (Ezekiel 13:22). (Life Application Study Bible)

We have no need for prophetesses today, for we have the written Word of God to tell us what the future holds.

What is the promise God gives us in our key verse above? Deliverance. It was true after the 70 years for Judah and Israel. Also, it will be fully true during the Messiah's thousand year reign. God will bring an end to sorcery and false prophecy (Micah 3:6; Zech. 13:1-6) Amen! Evil will be no more during that time, in heaven, and in the new earth.

Folks, we need to take seriously that there are evil spirits, demons, and their followers still in our world today. How pertinent it is that we Christians grow stronger in faith in our God and memorize His Word. That is how Jesus contented with Satan.

James 4:7 tells us how to get rid of the evil around us: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

As we submit to God, we recognize our weaknesses, admit our sins and pride, then submit to God as our ultimate and final authority. (Romans 12:1) Draw near to God is to come into His presence with prayer, praise, and obedience daily. We must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. (James 4:8) Resist the devil by submitting to the King of kings, Jesus Christ. Proclaim the truth in God's Word, which we know. Then the devil will flee from us.

 

LET IT GROW

Today we are focusing on verses 17-23. God condemns such women that that used magic charms and magic veils in practicing witchcraft. They advertised good luck charms for the wrists, but were used to ensnare the people in idolatry. Apparently, this is how they made their living.

Although women are rebuked by Isaiah (3:16-4:1) and Amos (4:1-30, this is the only OT text where false prophetesses are mentioned. Sorcery was practiced mainly by women. Jezebel is called a false prophetess in Revelation (2:20) and we know what happened to her. It is likely that these sorceresses employed all these items (charms, veils, handfuls of barley, and bread) in their divinations, hunting down people for their advantage. (verse 20)

Keep in mind that God will deliver us, in this world or in the next. We must warn others to stay away from magic, the horoscope, trinkets, etc.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You alone are all powerful.

We submit to Your will, Your way today.

Protect us from evil and temptations.

Keep our eyes on You and Your love in our heart.