This is what the Lord says: “As for the prophets who lead my people astray, they proclaim ‘peace’ if they have something to eat, but prepare to wage war against anyone who refuses to feed them.”
Micah 3:5 (NIV)

Over the past few years, I have personally migrated to reading more and more independent journalists who write on sites like Substack, along with subscribing to non-traditional news outlets that ascribe to the journalistic principles of integrity and objectivity that I was taught in journalism classes in school. I find it refreshing to read the work of those who are presenting facts and drawing conclusions based on those facts, even if it makes me uncomfortable.

We recently crossed the 100-day mark from the events of October 7 and the consequential dominoes that have fallen in its wake. Wendy and I have participated in lively conversations with individuals on both sides of the conflict in Gaza. Passions run high on both sides, and I have observed those on both sides of the conflict who are quick to ignore, obfuscate, and reject facts and inconvenient truths.

Yesterday, I read a piece in one of the independent journalistic outlets I previously mentioned. It was a hard read because it challenged some of my own thoughts and feelings with cold, hard facts and objective clarity that I couldn’t ignore. It also affirmed with equally cold, hard facts some of the truths that others I’ve spoken with outright refuse to accept as anything but lies.

One of the things that modern readers of the Great Story often fail to understand is that in ancient society, “prophets” were an entire workforce in the culture. Every religion (and there were many) had its version of prophets. Every monarch and emperor had an entire staff of prophets to provide “divine” guidance.

In today’s chapter, the ancient prophet Micah contrasts himself with the mainstream prophets who served in the King’s court and the pagan temples. What Micah calls out in his peers is the fact that they are driven by selfish motives. Being a prophet is their job, and they are worried about their paycheck and their social status. These prophets, Micah reports, will say whatever their boss wants to hear if it provides job security.

Micah and those prophets we know from the Great Story, were a different lot. The reason we still read their words thousands of years later is precisely because they were willing to say what no one else was willing to say. They were willing to present cold, hard facts about the events of their day even if it meant they were ostracized, canceled, unemployed, beaten, and (in some cases) killed.

Micah makes the point that the “prophets” of his day would prophesy anything that would keep food on their table. I couldn’t help but think of the prophet of Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-4) who, in contrast, told King Ahab that there would be a severe famine in the land, then went to the wilderness where God provided food for him from scavenging ravens. What a contrast.

In the quiet this morning, I found myself mulling over the fact that journalists today are not unlike the ancient prophets. Our society looks to them to interpret the events of our times and predict what’s going to happen. In an increasingly secular society, I find that some ascribe faith and an almost religious zeal to these modern-day, secular prophets. And, I observe that most mainstream news businesses (they are, after all, first-and-foremost profit-driven businesses) hire an entire staff of journalistic prophets who will say what their faithful consumers want to hear.

Reading the ancient prophets like Micah is a constant reminder to me that hearing and reading only those things that make me comfortable and affirm my worldview is ultimately not a spiritually healthy thing for me. As a disciple of Jesus, I am equally reminded that Jesus Himself was executed by the good religious people of His day for saying things that were true, but threatened the powerful and wealthy elites who wanted to keep the revenue flowing. Jesus also told His disciples to expect the same when we truly follow in His footsteps.

It’s that time of the day when I join Wendy for coffee and we read the latest news. God, give me discernment as I partake in what the modern-day secular prophets have to say this morning.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.