Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, false prophets are frequently depicted as individuals who claim to speak on behalf of God but deliver messages that are contrary to His will and truth. One of the most significant themes associated with false prophets is their tendency to proclaim peace when there is no peace, misleading the people of God and providing a false sense of security.Old Testament Context The phenomenon of false prophets declaring peace is prominently addressed in the Old Testament, particularly during times of national crisis for Israel and Judah. These prophets often contradicted the true prophets of God, who warned of impending judgment due to the people's disobedience and idolatry. Jeremiah's Confrontation with False Prophets The prophet Jeremiah provides a vivid account of false prophets who proclaimed peace in the face of imminent disaster. In Jeremiah 6:14 , it is written: "They have dressed the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." This passage highlights the superficial treatment of the people's spiritual and moral ailments by false prophets, who offered comforting but deceptive assurances. Jeremiah further denounces these prophets in Jeremiah 8:11 : "They dress the wound of the daughter of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace." The repetition of this indictment underscores the gravity of their deception and the dire consequences for the nation. Ezekiel's Denunciation Similarly, the prophet Ezekiel condemns the false prophets of his time. In Ezekiel 13:10 , he declares: "Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because when a flimsy wall is built, they plaster it with whitewash." Ezekiel's imagery of a flimsy wall plastered with whitewash symbolizes the false prophets' attempts to cover up the truth with lies, offering false hope and security. Consequences of False Prophecies The declarations of peace by false prophets had severe consequences for the people of Israel and Judah. By ignoring the warnings of true prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the people were unprepared for the calamities that befell them, including invasions, exile, and destruction. The false prophets' messages contributed to a culture of complacency and spiritual blindness, leading to the people's downfall. New Testament Warnings The New Testament also warns against false prophets and teachers who deceive believers. In Matthew 7:15 , Jesus cautions: "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." This warning emphasizes the deceptive nature of false prophets, who may appear harmless but ultimately seek to lead believers astray. Discernment and Vigilance The biblical portrayal of false prophets who proclaim peace when there is no peace serves as a cautionary tale for believers. It underscores the importance of discernment and vigilance in distinguishing true prophetic messages from false ones. Believers are encouraged to test all teachings against the truth of Scripture and to remain steadfast in their faith, heeding the warnings of genuine prophets and teachers who align with God's Word. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 6:14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 23:17 Ezekiel 13:10 Micah 3:5 Library Whitefield -- the Method of Grace Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ... Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. ) The Circumstances Related of Montanus and his False Prophets. The Method of Grace The Greater Prophets. Treatise i. On the Unity of the Church. Refutation of the Jews The Last King of Judah Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all ... Resources What does the Bible say about false prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets? | GotQuestions.org What was the school of prophets? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms |
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