Micah 2:6-11

There have always been false prophets. The word prophet and preacher are interchangeable. False preachers are false because they lie about whose message they are delivering; they claim to be speaking for God, but they are speaking for themselves. They claim their messages come from God, but when the hearer looks, they cannot find the message in the word of God. They falsely preach what the people desire instead of what is in God word.

The false prophets tell Micah to be quiet. He accuses the leaders of the nation of becoming enemies toward their own people. They steal from the unsuspecting, and they are driving widows from their own homes. Because of their wickedness, the children of God’s people are going to lose their happiness forever. They tell him that God is patient, and he will not cause or even allow the calamity that Micah is predicting. Micah responds with the truth. His words are encouragement to those who are living righteous, and are an indictment to the wicked. Captivity for the children and destruction of the land awaits the nation of Israel. Micah warns those who have the ability, that they should flee the coming destruction.

The people of the nation are hearing two messages. Both come from men claiming to speak for God. One condemns the sinfulness of the people and predicts God’s coming judgment. The other message tells the people that everything is fine and the prosperity will roll-on forever. The people hear two messages, but they can only believe one. Do they believe the message that is accurate in portraying unrighteousness and holds them accountable, or the messages that promise them prosperity? The future of their nation depended upon their choice.

We still have false prophets. They preach messages free of accountability and full of prosperity and peace. We also have preachers who proclaim the word of God and we can find their message in the Biblical text. Our nation’s fate depends upon people listening to God’s messengers. We must choose our preachers wisely.