And the prophet, if he is deceived and speaks a word—I the Lord have deceived that prophet—he shall stretch out his hand against him and destroy him from the midst of My people Israel. This controversial verse affirms God's absolute sovereignty even over false prophecy, suggesting that God permits false prophets as a form of judgment upon those whose hearts are set on idolatry. The deception that befalls the false prophet comes from God, indicating that God uses false prophecy as a tool of judgment. This verse establishes that the ultimate responsibility for false prophecy lies with God, who permits it as judgment upon idolatrous hearts.

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