True vs False Prophets in the Bible

True and False Prophets

• The Bible acknowledges both true and false prophets (Eze 13:17, Neh 6:14, Matt 24:11, 1 John 4:1, Rev 2:20).
• False prophets claim divine inspiration and use phrases like "Thus says the Lord." (1 Kings 22).
• Distinguishing between true and false prophets is crucial.

Identifying False Prophets

• Contradicting Yahweh: A prophet who speaks for a god other than Yahweh is false. Miracles don't automatically validate a prophet.
• Practicing Divination/Sorcery: Using divination, sorcery, etc., as practiced by pagan nations, is a sign of false prophecy (Deut 18:9-14, Ezek 22:28, Jer 14:14). True prophets speak by divine inspiration/revelation.
• Unfulfilled Prophecy: A prophet whose words don't come to pass is a false prophet (Deut 18:23).

Characteristics of a True Prophet

• Divine Call: A true prophet experiences a clear call from God (Ex 3:1-4:17, Jer 1:4-10, Amos 7:14-15, 1 Sam 3, Hos 1:2, Zeph 1:9-20). Training can equip, but God calls.
• Signs and Miracles: Often authenticated by signs and miracles (Ex 4:1-9, 21, 1 Sam 12:26, Elijah, Elisha, Isa 7:14, Micah, 1 Kings 22:28, Ezek 4-5, Amos 8:1-3).
• Harmony with Previous Revelation: Words align with past revelation, confirming or building on truth, not contradicting it (Deut 13:1-3, Jer 26, Isa 8:20).
• Historical Fulfillment: Confirmed by fulfilled prophecy (1 Sam 3:14).
• High Moral Character: Displayed high morality (Micah 3:5, 11; Isa 28:7; Jer 23:11).
• Social Concern: Concerned for the people's well-being (Ex 2:11, 17).
• Access to Yahweh's Council: Access to God's inner counsel (Jer 23:18, Amos 3:2).
• Prayerfulness: Men of prayer, intercession, and communion.
• Criticism of Injustice: Outspoken critics of social injustice.
• Submission to God's Will: Focus on God's will, not the people's.

The Problem of Validation

• True prophets often have unpopular or challenging messages, opposed by false prophets who give people what they want to hear (Ezek 13:10). False prophets are like whitewashers, masking reality (Eze 13:10-12, 14-15, 22:28).

Jeremiah and False Prophets

• Jeremiah's experience illustrates the challenge of identifying true prophecy. He faced many false prophets in Jerusalem, often ideologically driven and clinging to past interpretations of Mosaic revelation.

Theology of False Prophets

• Zealous for the Old Way: Zealous for tradition and previous revelation, refusing new revelation.
• Binding God to Institutions: Linked God to specific institutions (law, temple, theocracy, monarchy) and their current structures, not to a living God.
• Hope Fixed on Institutions, Not God: Placed faith in institutional structures over the living God, regarding Jerusalem as invincible.
• Example of Hananiah: Hananiah predicted a false restoration (Jer 28:2-4), clashing with Jeremiah's message of judgment.
• Jeremiah's Challenge: Jeremiah challenged people to re-examine prophetic words, interpret God’s revelation afresh, and to see God's freedom to act beyond their frameworks. They resisted and feared his message of a possible Temple destruction.

Oracles of Judgment and Salvation

• Prophets delivered judgment (and salvation) messages, announcing the end of an era and the start of a new one, rooted in covenants and promises.
• Oracles of judgment, based on the covenant's consequences (Lev 26:14-39, Deut 4:25-29, 28:15-68, 30:17-18, 31:28-32:43), warned of potential curses for covenant breaking.
• Prophets used varied formats like covenant law, woe oracles, and disaster prophecies.
• Oracles of salvation announced a new era of grace, a new relationship with God.

Covenants and Promises

• God's commitment is rooted in covenants, including creation, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic.
• These covenants, and the promises within, shape Israel's history and God's interaction with humanity—all pointing to a wider scope.
• Early redemptive events (blessing, seed, solace, nature's regularity, God's presence, integrity) are cosmic.
• Abrahamic covenant had both national and cosmic dimensions. Extended to all nations.
• Mosaic covenant adapted Abrahamic, focusing on God's presence.
• Davidic covenant emphasized a theocratic kingdom.
• Fulfillment saw periods of flourishing and struggle. Key to understanding God's ongoing plan.

Prophecy and Eschatology

• The Bible is eschatological (concerned with the "last things"). Prophets announced new eras, with elements of continuity and discontinuity.
• Prophets point to a future fulfillment of promises in a theocentric (God-centered), messianic age. This includes new covenants, ingathering, joy, and removal of curses.
• In Jesus, prophetic hope reaches a culmination, with past, present, and future intertwined.