Tag: plot iniquity
“Beer and Wine Prophets”
Scripture reading for September 20th: Micah 1-2
Micah began his ministry with a vision of the Lord coming to visit the earth. “Hear, O peoples, all of you, listen, O earth and all who are in it, that the Sovereign Lord may witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple. Look! The Lord is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads the high places of the earth. The mountains melt beneath Him and valleys split apart, like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. (Micah 1:2-4) God’s coming would be sudden and earth-shaking! There would be great glory and would get mankind’s attention quickly!
The reason for this coming of the Lord was to judge Israel’s sins. These sins included idolatry in Samaria and Jerusalem! (Micah 1:5-7) The worship of these idols included prostitution, and sexual sin was rampant. God was angry and about to bring disaster upon His idolatrous people! They would be overrun and go into exile!
“If a liar or deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people.” (Micah 2:11)
God’s word to His people through Micah was strong because the people were headed for judgment. The Israelites had grown corrupt and had forsaken the Lord. They were coveting fields and defrauding their neighbors of their property and ability to make a living. The rich were taking advantage of the poor and were not aware that the Lord was displeased and about to come to them in judgment. God had sent prophets to them to warn them but they refused to listen. They told them not to prophesy to them, they did not want to hear that the Lord was angry. (Micah 2:6-7) God told them that their attitudes and actions were taking away blessing from their own children! (Micah 2:9)
When people are worldly, they seek a god that will fit their lifestyle. This is our plight in America today. Many carnal Christians say they love God, but do not want to hear rebuke for their sins. They want smooth messages that make them feel good in their sins. They value their pocket books more than righteousness in their elected officials. Homes are being broken by sexual idolatry. Would God recommend a deceiving prophet who will prophesy plenty of wine and beer for us? Are we listening to one?