Ezekiel 13:1-23
The length of time a building lasts depends not so much upon the quality of the stone or of the bricks of which it is built as upon the mortar used to join them together. Many works of masonry constructed by the Romans have lasted until the present time because of the extraordinary strength of their cement, whilst so many monuments built much more recently have not stood up to the action of corrosive agents (weather, etc.). To plaster over the growing cracks in Israel’s unity, its false prophets had made use of the bad mortar of a "peace" which was not peace (v. 10). Their reassuring speeches could not prevent "the wall" from falling down in the time of storm (cf. Matthew 7:26-27).
Let us not forget that every believer is a workman for the Lord! The only foundation, Jesus Christ, having been laid, each one must take care how and with what materials he builds upon it (1 Corinthians 3:10-15).
Vv. 17-21 shows us that unstable souls can be literally caught in a trap by vanities, particularly such as fashion and comfort (2 Peter 2:14). Let us watch over our souls.
A final condemnation is pronounced in v. 22 on those who have "made the heart of the righteous sad with lies". How much Christ suffered down here as a result of this same hypocrisy!