JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

February 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent inquiry. You asked about Ezekiel 13:18-23.

This chapter concerns the time just before the day of the Lord (verse 5). It deals with the false religious leaders of the present-day house of Israel -- the United States and Britain.

The first part of Ezekiel 13 (verses 1-16) mentions the false prophets, the MEN who are deceiving the people. But, we find that more and more WOMEN are becoming preachers and missionaries. This prophecy would not be complete if it did not include the ever-increasing group of "false prophetesses."

These false prophetesses prophesy (or, as the meaning should be, "preach") OUT OF THEIR OWN HEARTS (verse 17). They are NOT preaching God's message, neither has God sent them. What KIND of message are they preaching which causes God to denounce them? It is exactly the opposite of the message God's true ministers are preaching. God has commissioned His ministers to lift up their voices like a trumpet and SHOW Israel (our people today) their SINS (Isa. 58:1). The message of God's ministers is one of impending doom and destruction IF the people will not respond and repent of their sins (Ezek. 3:19; 4:2-3; 5:2-4, 8-10, 12-17; 6:11-14; 12:10-16).

Though all FALSE ministers are an abomination in God's sight, the fact that women CHOOSE FOR THEMSELVES the office of religious leadership -- usurping authority over men -- is particularly distasteful to God (I Cor. 14:33-35; I Tim. 2:11-12).

If we examine the message of these false ministers, we will be able to understand the message of the false prophetesses -- because they both preach the same thing. They refuse to show the people their sins. They have "daubed the wall with untempered mortar." In other words, Ezekiel is saying they have "whitewashed" the people and have failed to convict them of their sins. Because of this, the wrath of God will be poured out upon these false ministers. They have preached a message of peace, when there is no peace! (verse 10).

These false ministers are actually "hunting for souls" (verse 18). They traverse the far reaches of this earth in their missionary efforts to "save souls." But God asks them: "will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?" In other words, they will not have the power to save them from the destruction which Almighty God has decreed WILL come (Jer. 14:12-14) and which they say is not coming.

The reference to "pillows" and "kerchiefs" is obscure. Some believe "pillows" is better translated "fillets" or "headbands," and that "kerchiefs" refer to "long veils." A long veil held by a headband describes quite well part of the garments worn by members of some female religious orders. Others feel that "pillows" and "kerchiefs" are symbolic of the soft, feminine nature of the religion preached by these false prophetesses.

However, a number of commentators believe the Hebrew indicates that these terms are not literal -- that the "pillows" actually refer to a figurative covering these women try to place over God's hands to conceal His power to rebuke sin, and that the "kerchiefs" represent the veil of spiritual blindness they place over their followers. Some Hebrew scholars argue against the translation "magic bands" found in some modern English versions, saying that this is not at all supported by the original language.

In their activities these women actually pollute God among the people with (the Hebrew can be translated either "for" or "with") "handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread" (verse 19). This can mean that they either use food to attract "converts" or actively solicit donations for their preaching. But, they do not teach their followers that the cause for their plight lies in their failure to keep God's LAWS. God reveals His severe punishment on these false women religionists (verses 20-23).

We hope you will let us know whenever we can be of additional service.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT