John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 12:24

"For there shall be no more any false vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel." — Ezekiel 12:24 (ASV)

Here God deprives the Jews of another source of confidence, for they flattered themselves and had their own instigators, that is, false Prophets, who puffed them up with flatteries. Therefore, when they heard dire prophecies, they despised them and afterward hardened themselves as if the Prophets had frightened them needlessly.

Everyone was too much inclined to this deluded confidence, but, as I have said, enticements were added by which the flatterers deceived them. For the false Prophets said that God would not be so severe and that those predictions about the destruction of the city and temple contradicted many promises.

So we see that the Prophets were despised because of the willful stubbornness of the people, and also because of the perverse acts of the false Prophets. Afterward, God asserted, that the days approached: now he adds, that there should be no more vision of vanity, not that the false Prophets were entirely removed, but because their mouth was stopped, since the event had proved their wickedness.

Since the people were then shamed by slaughter, in this sense and for this reason it is said that prophecies of vanity must be taken away: afterward, divination of flattery from the midst of the house of Israel.

For in ease and comfort they promised themselves a prosperous deliverance from their miseries. When the people were dragged out of the city into exile—some slain, others stripped of their fortunes and treated shamefully—then the true character of those Prophets who had nursed the perverse confidence of the people by their vain enticements was revealed.

Now we understand the Prophet’s genuine sense.