“Then the word of the LORD came to me saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy from their own inspiration, “Listen to the word of the LORD!”’ … ‘Now you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who are prophesying from their own inspiration. Prophesy against them.’ … ‘I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people from your hands, and they will no longer be in your hands to be hunted; and you will know that I am the LORD.’ … ‘Therefore, you women will no longer see false visions or practice divination, and I will deliver My people out of your hand. Thus you will know that I am the LORD’” (Ezek 13:1-2, 17, 21, 23).
On a trip to Prague in the Czech Republic, I stood outside Bethlehem Church where thousands once gathered to hear John Hus, a 14th-century priest, preach the Bible. Why did so many come? Because they actually understood his sermons. He did not preach in Latin, but in the common language of the people. For the first time in their lives, ordinary men and women could hear the word of God in words they could understand. His sermons were so popular that even Queen Sophia, the wife of King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia, regularly attended. John Hus rescued people in the Kingdom of Bohemia, not from foreign invaders, but from the “false prophets” of the church itself, who enslaved them with unbiblical rules and regulations. Because Hus preached the Bible instead of empty religion, he was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.
…the greater danger comes from within: the burden of manmade rules and traditions that keep us from God and prevent us from understanding His word.
Twice in Ezekiel 13, God promises to “deliver His people” from prophets who misled Israel into spiritual bondage by preaching false visions and urging them to practice meaningless superstitions. As harsh as it may sound, Israel’s greatest threat today is not from those who seek to destroy us from the outside. Rather, the greater danger comes from within: the burden of manmade rules and traditions that keep us from God and prevent us from understanding His word.
May God raise up more men and women like John Hus who, with a genuine love for God’s word, will come to rescue His people.
“The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, ‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?’ And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: “THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.” Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men’” (Mark 7:5-8).
“And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:25-27).
