Readings:
Ezekiel 13-15
2 Corinthians 11

Ezekiel 13-15

Ezekiel is given a prophecy against false prophets. They were encouraging Israel it remain in sin and giving false assurances when they hadn’t really heard from God at all. A false prophet was to be stoned according to the law, but these were not only allowed to continue but were celebrated and listened to.

He also has a word from God for the men who’ve put their idols into their hearts. They may or may not have taken physical idols into exile, but the point is that they’ve internalized their idolatry and have become dedicated to gods of stone and wood, rather than the living God who loves them.

Over time the idea of personal responsibility had faded and only collectively we’re sins punished for the most part. But God reminds them that the righteousness of others will not save them, and they need to remember this accountability that is required of all men.

2 Corinthians 11

Paul is giving them another warning about false teachings and false teachers. He likens their temptations to follow false doctrine to the temptations of the serpent in Eden. The direct root of both is satan and his constant perversions of truth.

He directly addresses the fact that these false teachers are more skilled in speaking than he is, but points out that the skill of the speaker has no bearing on the truth of the subject. He is an apostle commissioned by Christ, they are not, that is the heart of the matter. But unfortunately, we are all prone to be swayed by eloquent speeches sometimes, if not then there wouldn’t be an industry based on false promises in late night infomercials.

Paul gives a long list of suffering he’s endured for his mission as a way to prove his credentials that are questioned by his opponents. He doesn’t give himself authority, it was given to him as an apostle, and he has followed the example of Christ by suffering for his sake.

Readings:
Ezekiel 16
2 Corinthians 12-13