5. Ezekiel was opposed by the False Prophets in Judah.
Therefore, while Jeremiah was thus expending himself, God willed to give to him Ezekiel, a partner and assistant, separated geographically, but most closely conjoined in heart and spirit, so that he might teach the same things among the Babylonians that Jeremiah had not ceased to proclaim at Jerusalem. And that was useful, not only to the captives, but also to the remnants of the people, which were yet remaining in the city and land. The captives had False Prophets, like Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, promising wonderful things to the people, and making a mockery of the readiness of it, that they had so rashly deserted their country, and had not rather contended to the last for liberty, Jeremiah 29:20, 21. There was in that same place Shemaiah the Nehelamite, who was writing to the high priest, Zephaniah, and reproving him as sluggish and weak, because would not with severity suppress Jeremiah as raving and mad, verse 24. Therefore, while the Devil was having his agents there, in opposition to them God set Ezekiel, to discharge the legitimate office of prophesying among the captives. But also those that were at Jerusalem, hearing the prophecies of Ezekiel agreeing with the predictions of Jeremiah, were confirmed not a little, because it was not able to happen naturally, that one at Jerusalem, and the other in Chaldea, might set forth their prophecies as if from one mouth, as if two singers were harmonizing, the one to the voice of the other.