She Laughs. She Prays.

Part 1 of False Prophets from the Perspective of the Major Prophets-

False Prophets and Authority

Understanding prophecy through the biblical Old Testament major prophets ushers in an underlying theme of “false prophets” or “false prophecy.” The four major prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, spoke the truth from the mouth of God, including their words describing the issues of false prophecy. Although the distinction between true and false prophets, may seem hazy to those reading the Word of God from a contemporary standpoint, the major prophets give us an overwhelming number of clues to follow when making the distinction.

To distinguish false prophets during the time of the major prophets, there are a few clues that we will look at and relate to our day and times as well. Their words are woven around a few key ideals.

1) Authority

2) Truth

3) Character

Addressing each of these qualities separately, we can break down the teaching by the major prophets on false prophets. Although these three ideals intertwine, all three are distinctly important and will help create an awareness for recognizing false prophecy and false prophets.

Authority

Jeremiah 23:36 (NLT) puts it straight, “stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”

A true prophet has authority that comes from God. This authority can be broken down to 1) his calling 2) the Spirit of God upon him 3) being in God’s presence.

First a true prophet in the major prophets is called by the Lord. Jeremiah 1:9 speaks of the commissioning of Jeremiah as a prophet. God speaks over Jeremiah, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth.”

God tells Ezekiel his specific calling to the people of Israel (Ezekiel 2:3). The Old Testament prophets who spoke with authority knew to what nations and to what people they have been sent with the message from God.

Next a true prophet is moved by the Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 2 speaks of the prophet’s call. Ezekiel 2:2 says that the spirit entered in him. This is the same Hebrew phrase as the Spirit of God that moved upon the face of the waters during creation. It’s the same phrase used for the spirit of God that was in Joshua when Moses anointed him.

2 Peter 1:20-21 gives this perspective of authority and the infilling of the Spirit on the prophet, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

Third, Jeremiah explains that a true prophet has spent time in the presence of God. A false prophet claims to have been in the presence of the Lord. The authority of the prophet comes from the Lord himself. According to Jeremiah 23:21, God says that he hasn’t sent these false prophets, yet they run around claiming the speak for the Lord Almighty.

Jeremiah then produces the questions, ”Have any of these prophets been in the LORD’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?” Jeremiah explains here that authority comes from the Lord Almighty. Being with God, listening to him in his presence brings authority.

Our One Year Bibles finally arrived at Bristol Bay Church, Dillingham, AK. We have decided to start on March 17, 2024, which means it will take until next March 17, 2025, to finish reading all the way through. If you asked for a soft cover copy or would like one, please see me on anytime this week or on Sunday. I have about 10 of these. You can also purchase the electronic copy on Christianbook.com The One Year Chronological Bible NLT - eBook: 9781414361628 - Christianbook.com I will have a few journals and notebooks as well in case you want one to keep your answers in to the questions below in a notebook. And/or send them to me and we can stay in contact: pastorval@bristolbay.church

For those who want to read along in your own Bible, I will publish the passages for the week in a special column to check off. I look forward to reading with you. Each week I will also send some study questions to go with your reading if you choose to use them. Reply with questions and answers. I look forward to reading God's Word with you daily.

August 26

Jeremiah 39:11-40:6

Jeremiah 52:12-27

2 Kings 25:8-21

2 Chronicles 36:15-21

Lamentations 1:1-22

August 27

Lamentatons 2:1-4:22

August 28

Lamentations 5:1-22

August 29

Jeremiah 42:1-44:30

Ezekiel 33:21-33

August 30

Ezekiel 34:1-36:38

August 31

Ezekiel 37:1-39:29

Ezekiel 32:1-16

September 1

Ezekiel 32:17-33:20

Jeremiah 52:28-30

I Chronicles 4:24-5:17

August 26

1) Known as Gedaliah ben Achikam in the Jewish history, what Jewish spiritual day is named for him and when is it?

2) What lesson can be learned from the death of Gedaliah and is repeated by rabbis?

August 27

1) Consider the meaning of daughter of Zion as opposed to just Zion. What pictures or words does this bring out when considering the relationship of God to the Jews. Read Lamentatons 2:1-4:22 with this thought in mind.

August 28

1) Lamentations 5:1-22 describes prolifically the state of the Jewish people at this time in history.

a) How do they surmise in Lamentations 5:16 the cause of their current state?

b) How does this compare to Lamentations 5:7?

c) Based on these verses have the Israelites owned up to or recognized their sins?

d) Do you believe that God allowed the Israelites to be put into a dark exile because of their sins or was this just a part of history?

2) How does Lamentation 5:19-22 end this lament?

August 29

1) Jeremiah 42, what does Jeremiah warn the remanent in regards to Egypt?

2)Why do you think Jeremiah went with the Israelites going to Egypt, when they were warned not to go?

3) In Ezekiel 33:21-33, how does Ezekiel describe the hearts of the Israelites?

4) How will the people know Ezekiel is truly a prophet?

August 30

1) Read Ezekiel 34 for a Messianic point of view or a point of view that includes an understanding of the purpose of Jesus in our lives. Explain.

2) Ezekiel 35 describes the fate of Mount Seir. What was their fate to be?

August 31

1) In Ezekiel 37, what is the significance of the Valley of the Dry Bones?

2) Ezekiel 38:2 mentions Gog and refers to Magog. Where in the New Testament are Gog and Magog mentioned and why?

September 1

1) Ezekiel 33, What is the job of a watchman? Who does this describe?

2) What is the significance of Jeremiah 52:28-30?

3) Read this article about the tribe of Simeon and compare it to what happened in I Chronicles 4:24-5:17. The Tribe Of Simeon: The Fierce And Fatal Son | Think About Such Things

August 19

1. Ezekiel 14 tells why the prophets did not hear from God. Explain this. Ezekiel 14:3 says Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. They have created stumbling blocks of sin and particularly worshipping other idols.

2. How are the people of Jerusalem like grapevines according to Ezekiel 15? The vines are useless wood. Nothing can made of them and they are consumed quickly. The Jews have become useless with their futile worship of idols.

August 20

1. What is the significance of the story of two Eagles or the riddle? The first Eagle is large, significant bird that swoops in and takes even the upper class, royalty. He also transported some of the seeds (people) from the land to other places where they took root and became productive. But the vine eventually dropped by the first Eagle saw a second Eagle and desired to follow it. When it went to the second Eagle it was soon poor and with malnutrition.

2. In Ezekiel 17, why does Ezekiel say the people will not say this quote anymore, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? That the decision of parents are important to the children who will have to live with the result.

August 21

1. In Ezekiel 20, why does God refer to the history of the Israelites in such detail? I warned their children not to follow in their parents’ footsteps-Ezekiel 20:18

2. In Ezekiel 21, why does Ezekiel groan in prophecy? I groan because of the terrifying news I have heard. When it comes true, the boldest heart will melt with fear; all strength will disappear. Every spirit will faint; strong knees will become as weak as water. And the Sovereign LORD says: It is coming! It’s on its way!

Ezekiel 21:7

August 22

1. Ezekiel 22:26 speaks of the responsibilities of priests or in our terms pastors? How does this relate to us now as well as the Israelites then? To teach what is holy and what is clean. We all have this responsibility as people of God. Pastors are held to a higher point.

2. 2 Kings 24:20-25:2 and the readings in Jeremiah tell us about King Zedekiah. What did you learn?

That because of his actions, God let Jerusalem be besieged. He did not do what was good or teach others to do what was good in the sight of the Lord.

August 23

1. Jeremiah 21:8 leaves the people with two choices. What are they? A way of life (following God) and a way of death (doing evil).

2. In Ezekiel 25, God gave messages to four lands and several cities. What were the messages to these places?

Land of Ammon-Ezekiel 25:3-4, Because you cheered when my Temple was defiled, mocked Israel in her desolation, and laughed at Judah as she went away into exile.I will allow nomads from the eastern deserts to overrun your country. They will set up their camps among you and pitch their tents on your land. They will harvest all your fruit and drink the milk from your livestock./Rabbah- into a pasture for camels, and all the land of the Ammonites into a resting place for sheep and goats. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Moab- Ezekiel 25:9-10 will open up their eastern flank and wipe out their glorious frontier towns—Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim. And I will hand Moab over to nomads from the eastern deserts,

Edom-God's vegenance will be upon Edom because they avenged themselves against God's people

Philistia-The people of Philistia have acted against Judah out of bitter revenge and long-standing contempt. I will revenge them by sending enemies from people of the sea.

3. What is God's word for Egypt in Ezekiel 31? That it has become proud and arrogant, it will be destroyed.

August 24

1. Jeremiah 32:15 is significant to the people of Israel, why? It shows hope and that God will bring back joy.

2.. Do a study on Tyre and the prophecy in Ezekiel 26:14 where Jeremiah declares it will not be rebuilt again.

August 25

1. What is the end of Zedekiah? Do your recall a previous prophecy as to how Zedekiah will die?

Zedekiah was the last king of Judah and was king when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Babylon in 586 BC and the majority of the people were carried into exile. Jeremiah 34 says that Zedekiah will die peacefully as opposed to others in his kingdom. Zedekiah's eyes were gouged out. And he was allowed to die in his own time.

2. In Jeremiah 39:2-10 who was Ebed-melech the Ethiopian? He was a friend to the persecuted Jeremiah and a member of the royal servants. He acquired a release from prison for Jeremiah saving his life.

3. Explain the funeral dirge in Ezekiel 27. This speaks of the defeat of Tyre and compares it to the defeat of a ship-a funeral dirge for a dying ship. Tyre was a great port city..

Ezekiel 37:14

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