This is what the LORD says: "As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: This is what the LORD says:This phrase introduces a divine pronouncement, emphasizing the authority and seriousness of the message. In the prophetic tradition, such declarations are direct communications from God, underscoring the importance of the message that follows. This is a common formula used by prophets to assert that their words are not their own but are from God, as seen throughout the books of the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah. As for the prophets who lead My people astray: who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth: but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: Persons / Places / Events 1. MicahA prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and his messages were directed towards both Israel and Judah. 2. False Prophets These were individuals claiming to speak on behalf of God but were actually misleading the people for personal gain. They were motivated by greed and manipulated their messages based on what they received from others. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who speaks through Micah to condemn the false prophets for their deceitful practices. 4. The People of Israel The audience of the false prophets, who were being led astray by their misleading messages. They were vulnerable to the prophets' deceit due to their own spiritual and moral failings. 5. Judah and Israel The divided kingdoms during Micah's time, both of which were subject to the influence of false prophets and faced impending judgment due to their collective sinfulness. Teaching Points Discernment in LeadershipBelievers must exercise discernment in whom they follow and listen to, ensuring that leaders and teachers are aligned with God's truth rather than personal gain. Integrity in Ministry Those in positions of spiritual leadership must maintain integrity, delivering God's message faithfully without succumbing to the temptation of altering it for personal benefit. The Danger of Complacency The people of Israel were led astray partly due to their own complacency and failure to seek God's truth. Believers today must actively pursue a relationship with God and His Word to avoid being misled. Consequences of False Prophecy The actions of false prophets have serious consequences, leading people away from God and towards judgment. It is crucial to recognize and reject false teachings. God's Justice and Mercy While God condemns the false prophets, His ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him. His justice is tempered with mercy, offering hope for repentance and restoration. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we identify false prophets or teachers in today's context, and what steps can we take to protect ourselves from their influence?2. In what ways might we be tempted to alter or compromise God's message for personal gain or acceptance, and how can we guard against this? 3. How does the warning against false prophets in Micah 3:5 relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament about false teachers? 4. What role does personal responsibility play in ensuring that we are not led astray by false teachings, and how can we cultivate a deeper understanding of God's Word? 5. How can we balance the need for discernment with the call to love and engage with those who may be misled by false teachings? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 23:16This verse warns against listening to false prophets who speak visions from their own minds rather than from the mouth of the LORD, similar to Micah's condemnation of prophets who lead people astray for personal gain. Ezekiel 13:10 This passage describes false prophets who lead people astray by proclaiming peace when there is no peace, echoing Micah's critique of prophets who declare peace only when they are fed. Matthew 7:15 Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves, paralleling the deceitful nature of the prophets in Micah's time.
People Jacob, MicahPlaces Adullam, Jerusalem, ZionTopics Anyone, Astray, Bite, Biting, Cause, Causing, Cried, Cry, Declare, Doesn't, Eat, Err, Feed, Feeds, Holy, Lead, Mouth, Mouths, Nothing, Peace, Prepare, Proclaim, Prophets, Provide, Puts, Putteth, Ready, Sanctified, Says, Teeth, Thus, Wage, WarDictionary of Bible Themes Micah 3:5 5943 self-deception Library The Apostasy in Two Days. In our introduction we gave a number of texts which spoke of the whole of the gospel dispensation as one day; but any period of time distinguished by some extraordinary historic event may be and is also termed a day. The apostasy or dark noonday being under two forms is marked in Bible history as two days. The first form of the apostasy, namely, Catholicism, is called by the Scriptures a "dark day." A Cloudy Day. The second form of the apostasy was not such utter darkness as the first, and is therefore … Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots Of Councils and their Authority. "And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee," Contention Over the Man Born Blind. The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus. The Sovereignty of God in Operation The Doctrine of the Scriptures. Micah Links Micah 3:5 NIVMicah 3:5 NLT Micah 3:5 ESV Micah 3:5 NASB Micah 3:5 KJV Micah 3:5 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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