Ezekiel 13:23
“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.”
Real preaching has come under more scrutiny and attack in these days than I can ever remember in my lifetime. I know this is certainly not the first time, as we can see from Ezekiel 13. God says in the verse above that the prophets would no longer “divine divinations.” In other words, God would no longer allow them to sway His people with their spells. He was stepping in to stop their divining ways. His judgment upon these prophets would come because they tried to sway the people with their spells instead of preaching the Word of God.
Sadly, this commentary can be said once again in our day of many preachers who have tried to sway people with their divinations instead of preaching the Word of God. God shows us four reasons why these preachers were trying to “divine divinations.” There is no need to “divine divinations” if the preacher will simply do what God has commanded them to do.
The first reason preachers try to “divine divinations” is because they are not studying the Word of God. Verse 2 shows us that these preachers prophesied “out of their own hearts.” One of the most important things a preacher can do is to study God’s Word. You must never get too busy to spend time with God in His Word. You may need to get up earlier, but you must find the time to study God’s Word. This is the only way that you will ever receive the truths that God wants you to speak to His people.
Second, preachers “divine divinations” because they are not filled with the Holy Spirit. Verse 3 says these prophets followed their own spirit. You can entertain all you want, but lives are not changed through entertainment. The only thing that changes lives is Spirit-filled preaching. You had better spend time in prayer seeking the filling of the Spirit if you want to see lives changed. One of the biggest reasons preachers feel they must “divine divinations” is because they are not filled with the Spirit of God.
Third, verse 5 shows us that preachers “divine divinations” because they won’t stand in the gap. Oh, how we need men of God who have a backbone to stand in the gap for decency, holiness and the souls of men. One of the tasks of a man of God is to stand in the gap. It may not be popular to stand in the gap, but God expects of His men to keep His children safe by standing in the gap.
Fourth, verse 6 shows us that preachers “divine divinations” by twisting God’s Word to fit their worldly lifestyle. It is sad that when truth and life’s circumstances collide, many men of God have twisted Scripture to fit their lifestyle. Friend, we are not to try and bring God and His Word down to fit our lifestyle, but we are to change our lifestyle to fit God’s Word and identify with Him.
If your man of God doesn’t “divine divinations,” then you should be thankful and do all that you can to support him. If you happen to have a man of God who abuses his position because of one of these areas, then I’d advise you to prayerfully consider finding a man of God who does not “divine divinations” but lives and preaches what the LORD says.