Book of Ezekiel - Chapter 13 - Verse 17

In this verse, the phrase "Likewise, thou son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, which prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them," is a call for the prophet Ezekiel to confront and oppose a group of women who were falsely prophesying. These women were not speaking words inspired by God, but instead, were proclaiming their own desires and wishes. The Lord instructs Ezekiel to speak out against these false prophets and deliver a message of warning and correction. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to discern between true and false prophets, to test the spirits and hold fast to the word of God. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to the teachings of the Bible and being aware of those who may lead others astray with their own misguided interpretations. By obeying the command to prophesy against false prophets, Ezekiel was reaffirming his devotion to the Lord and upholding the integrity of God's message.

The theological interpretation of the verse where God commands Ezekiel, referred to as "thou son of man," to prophesy against the daughters of his people who are prophesying from their own hearts, reflects a profound message about the nature of false prophets. In this context, the daughters symbolize individuals within the community who claim to speak on behalf of God but are actually driven by their own desires and thoughts rather than divine inspiration. By instructing Ezekiel to speak out against them, God is emphasizing the importance of authenticity and integrity in prophetic messages. This directive highlights the need for discernment in distinguishing true prophecy from false teachings, as well as the responsibility of genuine prophets to confront and oppose deception within the community. Through this verse, readers are encouraged to exercise discernment and seek out genuine messages from God rather than being swayed by those who prophesy out of their own hearts.