Tag Archives: Micah 3

Journalistic Prophets

January 16, 2024 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

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.

Chapter-a-Day

The Problem of Power

July 20, 2015 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

Her leaders judge for a bribe,
    her priests teach for a price,
    and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say,
    “Is not the Lord among us?
    No disaster will come upon us.”
Micah 3:11 (NIV)

As I write this the next Presidential election here in the States is 16 months off, but already the candidates are queueing up and the political machinations have begun. We had a family gathering at Wendy’s folks yesterday afternoon and casual conversation has already turned to be all about elections. It’s going to be a long one, I’m afraid. It’s times like this that I wish life had a fast forward button.

I am glad I live in a land with free elections and representative republic. As a lover of history, however, I’m constantly reminded that political power is a corrupting force. As Lord Acton observed, “absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Even in a system with checks and balances, I’ve observed that political offices (both elected and appointed) become places from which individuals and parties make rules to entrench their position and take advantage for themselves and their friends.

In the days of the prophet Micah, the situation was no different, as Micah observes in today’s chapter. God’s Message teaches that we live in a fallen world. Our sin leads us, despite our best altruistic efforts to the contrary, to make self-centric decisions for ourselves and our own. The more powerful and influential position we yield the more difficult it becomes to succumb.

Today, I’m feeling a bit cynical, but I’ve got plenty of evidence from events past and present to justify my cynicism. Perhaps that is why God’s Message exhorts us so directly to pray for our leaders and those in power. At the same time that I’m pointing the finger at politicians, I’m also mindful that power’s corrupting force is present in any human system from families to churches to companies to neighborhoods and service organizations. In my admittedly meager positions of influence I am aware of the negative affects power can have on me if I am not aggressively mindful, humble and accountable.

Chapter-a-Day

Chapter-a-Day Micah 3

October 26, 2009 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

Here is God's Message to the prophets, the preachers who lie to my people:"For as long as they're well paid and well fed, the prophets preach, 'Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!' But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon, their 'God bless you' turns into 'God damn you.' Micah 3:5 (MSG)

Life is a mixture of good times and bad, of hope and despair. The journey takes us through peaks and valleys. Sometimes we need an encouraging pat on the back. Sometimes we need a swift kick in the pants. When life is out of balance, my perceptions quickly become clouded.

The prophets of Micah's day were out of balance. Their motivation was selfish ("I only care about my own personal needs") and their message was a bubble off plumb ("I'll say whatever you want to hear as long as the money keeps rolling in"). I can think of many of today's "prophets" and see parallels. There is nothing new under the sun.

I can't control others, but I can control myself. Today, I think about the messages I send to family, friends, clients and co-workers. I want to make sure that the words and messages out of my own mouth reflect a healthy balance. I don't want to reflect my own selfish motives, but as much as possible I want to objectively reflect what is true.