Ezekiel 13:2-4 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel So they called themselves, as if none but they had been worthy of the name of Israel's prophets, who were indeed Israel's deceivers. Say unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts According to their own fancy, without having received any revelation from God. The true prophets often denounced God's judgments against the false ones: laying to their charge many misdemeanours in their private life and conversation, and upbraiding them for their unfaithfulness in the office they undertook of declaring God's will to his people. Wo unto the foolish prophets Ignorant and wicked, and who, while they wilfully deceived the people, unthinkingly brought destruction upon themselves. Observe, reader, foolish prophets are not of God's sending: those whom he sends, he either finds or makes fit for his work. Where he gives warrant, he gives wisdom. That follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing Who utter their own imaginations for true prophecies, and pretend to have visions when they never had any. O Israel, thy prophets, not mine, are like the foxes in the deserts Hungry and ravening, crafty and guileful: “deceitful workers, (as the apostle styles such persons, 2 Corinthians 11:13,) who craftily insinuate false doctrines into weak and unstable minds, and greedily catch at any appearance of advantage to themselves.” Lowth.