Understanding Ezekiel 14:9

 

 

 

Q:

 

“If Ezekiel 14:9 says that God can entice / deceive prophets, does that mean He is responsible for sin?”

 

A:

 

Ezekiel 14:9 is best understood in context - in that chapter, people were following idols, and had gone astray from God, to the point that their judgment was certain. God was giving them the consequences of their choices. So by using a false prophet (someone whose heart was already set on lies), the people would believe they were not in danger, as in Jeremiah 28; it's important to realize that God was not enticing people into idolatry, but allowing them to believe they were safe and not in danger of judgment.

 

God cannot lie (Titus 1:3) but when people love lies, He lets them have lies (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; John 12:35). One example of this is in 1 Kings 22, when King Ahab was seeking lies, and that is what he received through false prophets. God did not lie or use any true prophets, but used people who were already against the truth.

 

You asked whether God is responsible for sin; He is not responsible for any sin; James 1:13 says He does not tempt anyone to sin. He does test people by giving us choices, but He does not want us to sin. Jeremiah 19:5 is just one example of sin being against God's will.

 

Ultimately, God wants everyone to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4) and turn to righteousness (Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9). When people refuse to listen, His justice requires punishment of sin, and He allows them to believe lies if that is what they choose. In everything God does, He is holy and never approves of sin.