John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 13:16

"[to wit], the prophets of Israel that prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and that see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord Jehovah." — Ezekiel 13:16 (ASV)

He now concludes this discourse and shows what he had until now intended by a building badly cemented, by using sand without lime. The prophets of Israel prophesied concerning Jerusalem. Here he does not mean false prophets, with whom Jeremiah was continually contending, but those who in exile still hardened the wretched.

While they thought to make use of the occasion, and so to humble the people who had been so grievously wounded by the hand of God, they stirred them up to pride, as we have previously seen. Our Prophet was obliged to strive with them for the comfort of his exiles, for he was specially sent to the captives, as we have said, although the benefit of his prophecies also reached Jerusalem.

The prophets, those of Israel, that is, the ten tribes dispersed in different directions, prophesied concerning Jerusalem. Why then did they not rather predict a happy result? For they were reduced to extremes, and meanwhile promised victory to the Jews. And they saw a vision, for it, he says. This clause seems opposed to another, in which the Prophet says that they saw nothing.

How, then, do these two things agree—to see a vision, and yet to see nothing? What he now says about seeing a vision refers to their false boasting. For they were altogether without the Spirit of God, nor did they possess any revelation. Yet when they boasted that they were endowed with the Spirit, and many had faith in their words, the Prophet concedes to them the name of a vision, although there was none, by accommodation.

He says, therefore, that they saw a vision, that is, they boasted of one, since they professed to be spiritual. Just as today the Papists deny that they utter anything from their own minds, and say that they derive all those fictions, by which they adulterate all piety, from the Holy Spirit, so these prophets said they were spiritual. And as far as the title is concerned, the Prophet grants what in reality he disallows when he adds, there was no peace when they said there was peace.

Thus it appears that a vision was in their mouth, united with sacrilegious boldness, yet there was no true vision; because, if God had manifested anything by His Spirit, He would truly have proved it, as He says through Moses (Deuteronomy 18:22).

Since, then, there was no peace, but the final overthrow of the city was at hand, it is easily concluded that they saw nothing but made false use of that sacred name of vision to acquire confidence for themselves.

Regarding the Prophet's statement that there is no peace, this extends to the future. They promised peace, saying that the siege of the city was to be raised and that prosperity awaited the Jews. But God, on the other hand, declares that there will be no peace, because it will shortly be evident that Jerusalem is devoted to utter destruction.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since we do not cease to provoke You by our sins, that we may at last consider our wretched condition (our state if You do not govern us by Your Spirit and subject us to Yourself in true obedience): and may we so desire to be reconciled to You that we may not flatter ourselves, but being altogether humbled and emptied of self, may we fly to Your mercy with a true feeling of piety, and so find what is prepared for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.