John Calvin Commentary Ezekiel 14:10

"And they shall bear their iniquity: the iniquity of the prophet shall be even as the iniquity of him that seeketh [unto him];" — Ezekiel 14:10 (ASV)

Here what Ezekiel had partially touched upon is more clearly taught. For He had said that eventually false prophets would meet with punishment, but He now joins the whole people with them, and at the same time repels the empty pretexts by which men are always willing to conceal their fault.

For when He mentions their iniquity by name, it is the same as forbidding them to turn their back any longer. In this way, then, God removes all the quibbles to which men usually resort, since they never pursue these tortuous paths without being conscious of their iniquity. For when God says that He is a searcher of hearts, He brings openly before us the secret feelings of mankind.

As long as hypocrites have to deal with men, they easily delude them: and then they put on various disguises by which they deflect the blame from themselves. But when God addresses them, His language necessarily penetrates to their hidden thoughts. Now, therefore, we understand the force of the words which God uses, they shall bear their iniquity.

He now adds, the iniquity of the inquirer shall be like that of the prophet. We have said that the sacred name of prophet is improperly transferred to impostors, but God often speaks in this way by concession, and in this way a stumbling block occurs by which the weak are disturbed.

For when they hear that deceivers, who not only obscure God’s word but pervert it, proudly boast in their title, they are moved, and not without reason. For divine things ought seriously to move us to reverence, since prophets are organs of the Holy Spirit. Hence, that man is worthy of such honor that no one ought to despise someone who is considered a prophet.

But because God tests His own people and blinds the reprobate, as we have said, when He sends them false prophets, so that the faith of the pious should not waver when they hear that sacred name profaned, He says by concession—well, they shall be called prophets—but He does not mean that those shall be truly and really esteemed as such who falsely claim that glory for themselves.

Now let us come to the next clause: the iniquity of the inquirer shall be like that of the prophet. We have already spoken of the iniquity of those who, being led captive by the lies of Satan, endeavor to pervert both the worship and the pure doctrine of God.

Therefore, since they intend to contend with God, their iniquity is in no way excusable. But another question may arise concerning the people, which, although we have addressed it before, it may still be beneficial to repeat it. He says, then, that those who had been deceived by the false prophets would be subject to punishment, so that they would bear the same penalty.

This seems hard, as I have said; but the Prophet had previously taught that the people would justly share in the same punishment as the impostors, because they erred knowingly and willingly. For if they had wholeheartedly devoted themselves to God, and had allowed themselves to be ruled by His Spirit and by the teaching of the law, they had undoubtedly been freed from all error.

For God takes care of His own people; though He does not defend them from the insults of the ungodly, yet He fortifies them by the foresight and fortitude of His Spirit.

Those who are deceived receive the just reward of either their sloth, pride, or ingratitude. For many scarcely condescended to inquire what the will of God was. Others looked down from a lofty position on whatever was uttered in God’s name. For, through self-confidence, they find it difficult to receive any instruction but their own.

Since, then, they were so unteachable, they are worthy of the reward I have mentioned.

Others, again, are ungrateful to God, for they stifle His instructions and the knowledge of heavenly things, and contaminate and pollute what is sacred. Therefore, God justly joins the disciples with their masters when He avenges sacrilege, as we see, since all sacred teaching is overthrown.

But Ezekiel expresses more when he says, that the people had inquired. For they had counselors who thereby gave direct approval to their pursuit. If they had been teachable, they would not have resorted so eagerly to the false prophets; hence, the greater their diligence in this direction, the more apparent their crime became, since they purposely rejected God and His servants by going over to the false prophets.

We now understand the meaning of this sentence. It only remains for each of us to apply what is said here for his own benefit. The Papists think themselves to be doubly or triply absolved if they have been deceived in any way. But, on the other hand, Christ exclaims—If the blind lead the blind, it is not surprising if both fall into the ditch (Matthew 15:14).

The reason is expressed here: because, however much simplicity those who are deceived may show, it is not at all doubtful that they flee from the light and desire the darkness out of a crooked and perverse craving. Thus it happens that the iniquity of the inquirer is like that of the prophet.