Many prophets have given false predictions. • Ahab. “Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king” (1 Ki

22:6).

Ahab died in that battle.

• “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him” (Deut 18:22).

A prophet’s main function was to speak for God. • Notice tonight’s text: “ ‘For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have

found their wickedness,’ says the LORD” (v 11).

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets” (v 15).

• In that way, prophecy can be compared to preaching. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet

4:11).

The message preachers deliver must be the inspired Word of God.

vv 16a, 17

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you’” (v 16a).

“They continually say to those who despise Me, ‘The Lord has said, “You shall have peace” ’; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, ‘No evil shall come upon you.’”

The 400 prophets who told Ahab to go up to Ramoth Gilead. • Jehoshaphat seems to understand they aren’t telling the

truth.

• Ahab brings in Micaiah. The Lord asked his hosts, “Who will persuade Ahab to go up, that

he may fall at Ramoth Gilead?” (1 Ki 22:20).

One spirit: “I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets” (1 Ki 22:22)

vv 16b, 18, 21-22

“They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD” (v 16).

“Who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his word and listened?” (v 18, ESV).

“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, And had caused My people to hear My words, Then they would have turned them from their evil way And from the evil of their doings” (vv 21-22).

These prophets did not speak from the mind of God. • “Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth,

and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth’” (Jer 1:9).

• “Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears. And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD,’ whether they hear, or whether they refuse” (Ezek 3:10-11).

Preachers today must punctuate their messages with “Thus saith the Lord.” • “Preach the word!” (2 Tim 4:2).

• Why preach that word? Only that word has the ability to reach into man’s innermost being:

Heb 4:12.

Only that word has the ability to re-create individuals: 1 Pet 1:23.

v 15

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the land.’”

Notice very carefully that the Lord is doing the speaking through Jeremiah.

God would punish these prophets by making them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water. • “Wormwood” is a strong smelling and bitter tasting food.

• Who would want to drink poisoned water?

Scripture says that God will punish those today who lead His people astray. • 2 Pet 2:1-3.

• Jude 4.

• “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (Js 3:1).

This should also serve as an encouragement. • God is on His throne, and He rules the affairs of men.

• Are you going to face God’s judgment?