God through Ezekiel goes after false prophets, men and women who say they have heard from the Lord but haven’t. The net effect is that these prophets are leading the people into disobedience and error.
God is angry with these deceptive leaders, very angry.
God values leadership, men and women of integrity who lead people honorably and honestly, who lead people to live lives that follow God faithfully. The issue is not one of mistaken judgment or bad decisions. The issue here is prophets who lie, saying they have a word from God but don’t. Prophets who speak from their own imagination (17) and have not heard from God. Leaders who say, “this is what God wants us to do,’ but haven’t consulted God in the first place. Leaders who use religious language to lead, but aren’t honestly in relationship with the Lord!
God says He will punish you and save my people, I will ensnare you and free my people (20-23).
Leaders are judged more stringently! Leaders of God’s church are judged most strictly.
If you are a leader in any venue, think deeply about how you lead. This is doubly true if you are a leader in God’s kingdom.
For those in the church or kingdom ministry, evaluate your leaders with these questions, “Are your leaders walking in relationship with the Lord faithfully? Are they speaking and leading in line with God’s Word, the Holy Bible, both Old and New Testaments?”
Leadership is a serious calling…
Lord, may I lead as You would lead. Help me to lead faithfully, to speak honestly about what You say and what Your Word teaches. I pray for ever increasing filling of Your Holy Spirit, that I may lead and guide others in the way of Jesus Christ. To You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be the honor and glory. Amen.
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