BibleTools.info

13. The prophets say. One of the chief reasons for the Israelites’ spiritual decadence was the potent evil influence of the many false, corrupt, popularity-seeking prophets who deluded the people into expecting peace. These prophets speciously reasoned that because the Israelites were the people of God’s choice, they were secure from all defeat, and that only good would come to them. Because the teaching of these false religious leaders was more pleasing to the ears of the people than the messages given by the true servants of God, the false prophets were regarded with much greater favor than God’s appointed spokesmen. The opposition of the false prophets made the tasks of God’s messengers extremely difficult (see Isa. 30:8-10; Jer. 5:31; Eze. 13; Amos 3:5-12).

Ye shall not see. In characteristic fashion the false prophets sounded the popular note by denying the three scourges pronounced upon the people by God (see v. 12), promising them the blessings of continued prosperity and “assured peace.”