Reading for January 8th

Read Ezekiel 13.17-23: In verses 17-23: Ezekiel then condemns the women who prophesy falsely and practice divination. Miriam (Ex 15.20-21), Deborah (Judg 4-5), and Hudldah (2 kings 22) demonstrate that female prophets appeared in both Judah and Israel. He points to the divinatory side of their activities in which they employ wristbands and veiled (see Moses' veil in Ex 34.29-35), and he indicates that they are paid for their services in barley and bread. Prophecy was a profession in the ancient world (1 Sam 9.7, but contrast Am 7.10-17). The false prophetesses and diviners appart=rently play a role in deciding capital cases in which person's life is at stake. God will tear beads from their hands and let the lives of such people go free like birds. Birds were frequently employed in divination in the ancient world (see Isa 8.18). Comments or Questions..