Peripheral prophets refer to individuals in the Hebrew Bible who prophesied outside the major prophetic traditions and texts, often addressing smaller communities or specific local issues. They may include figures not formally recognized as major prophets, yet their messages often reflect God’s will and guidance to the people they serve.
Scripture
22 For three years Syria and Israel continued without war.
2 It came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
3 And the king of Israel said to his servants, “Do you know that Ramoth-gilead belongs to us, and we keep quiet and do not take it out of the hand of the king of Syria?”
4 And he said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to battle at Ramoth-gilead?” And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.”
5 But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.”
6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall I go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
7 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?”
8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”
9 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.”
10 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes, at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’”
12 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”
14 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”
15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
16 And the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”
17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’”
18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left.
20 and the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another.
21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’
22 And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’
23 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the Lord has declared disaster for you.”
24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?”
25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.”
26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son,
27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.”
28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”
Peripheral Prophets in the Hebrew Bible
The concept of peripheral prophets in the Hebrew Bible highlights the diversity and breadth of prophetic voices in ancient Israel, extending beyond the well-known major prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. These peripheral prophets, including figures such as Ahijah (1 Kings 14:1-18) and Elijah (1 Kings 17), often emerged in response to immediate communal needs, providing insights directly pertinent to the lives of the people they addressed. Their prophecies were not officially documented in the major prophetic books but still conveyed essential messages regarding faithfulness, national identity, and repentance, demonstrating that God’s guidance was accessible to all sectors of society, not just the elite or formally recognized leaders.
Furthermore, the inclusion of peripheral prophets in the scriptural narrative serves to emphasize God’s continual communication with His people across various contexts. For example, the minor prophets like Amos and Hosea often addressed issues such as social injustice and moral decay, reinforcing the message that divine concern extends to even the smallest of communities (Amos 5:24). This portrayal illustrates that every individual, regardless of their status or recognition within the prophetic hierarchy, can be called to speak on behalf of God. Thus, the peripheral prophets affirm a broader theological understanding: that God’s devotion to His covenant people encompasses every voice, every situation, and every community in their respective struggles and triumphs.
The notion of peripheral prophets is further illuminated through figures often viewed as grassroots or local prophetic voices who were not formally included in the prophetic canon. A significant example is Miriam, the sister of Moses, who is referred to as a prophetess in Exodus 15:20-21. Her song celebrates the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites and underscores the vital role women played in the prophetic tradition, challenging the notion that only male figures held prophetic authority. Similarly, Nathan, who is known primarily for confronting King David over his sin with Bathsheba, exemplifies the role of a peripheral prophet delivering hard truths in a moment of national crisis. His vocal advocacy for justice and accountability highlights that prophecy can arise from unexpected quarters, reinforcing the idea that divine messages can be veiled in everyday circumstances and spoken by those perceived as less prominent.
Moreover, the narratives surrounding peripheral prophets often emphasize the relational and community-based aspects of prophecy. For instance, the role of Elisha in the ongoing ministry following Elijah’s ascension illustrates the importance of succession and mentorship among prophets who were deeply rooted in their local contexts. His acts of healing, provision, and social advocacy serve to directly address the plight of the marginalized in society, affirming that prophetic calling is not solely a matter of personal revelation but is deeply intertwined with communal welfare. This underscores an essential theme in the Hebrew Bible: the democratization of prophetic insight, where every believer’s experiences and struggles resonate with God’s overarching narrative, demonstrating that prophecy transcends institutional boundaries and can flourish in the least expected places. In this way, peripheral prophets contribute to the rich tapestry of Israel’s spiritual heritage, validating the multitude of ways God communicates and acts through His people.
The Role of Peripheral Prophets in Social Justice
Peripheral prophets often emerged in times of social upheaval, calling attention to injustices and advocating for the marginalized. Their messages frequently challenged the status quo, urging the people to return to ethical living and to care for the poor and oppressed. This highlights the broader biblical theme of justice, emphasizing that true worship of God is inseparable from ethical behavior and social responsibility.
The Function of Peripheral Prophets in Religious Reform
These prophets played a crucial role in religious reform by critiquing established practices and promoting a return to authentic worship. They often operated outside the mainstream prophetic tradition, which was closely aligned with the political and religious elite. Their voices served as a reminder that genuine faith must be reflected in both personal piety and communal integrity, thus reinforcing the idea that God desires a heartfelt relationship with His people rather than mere ritual observance.
The Significance of Peripheral Prophets in Community Identity
Peripheral prophets contributed to the formation of community identity by articulating a vision of hope and restoration. Their messages often included calls for repentance and renewal, fostering a sense of collective purpose among the people. By addressing the spiritual and moral failings of the community, they helped to shape a narrative of resilience and faith, encouraging the people to envision a future aligned with divine principles and communal solidarity.
How to Embrace the Wisdom of Minor Prophetic Voices
Embracing the wisdom of the Minor Prophets can be a transformative journey for any Christian seeking to deepen their faith and understanding of God’s message. These often-overlooked books, like those of Hosea, Micah, and Zephaniah, offer profound insights into God’s character, justice, and mercy, reminding us that even the smallest voices can carry significant truths. As you read through these texts, take time to reflect on their historical context and the challenges faced by the people of Israel; this will help you connect their messages to your own life. Consider journaling your thoughts and prayers as you engage with their calls for repentance, social justice, and faithfulness. By allowing their messages to resonate in your heart, you can cultivate a more compassionate spirit and a deeper commitment to living out your faith in everyday actions, ultimately drawing closer to God and His purpose for your life.
Bible References to Peripheral Prophets:
Jeremiah 28:1-17: 1 In that same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying,
2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.”
3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.
4 I will also bring back to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon, declares the Lord, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.”
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord.
6 Jeremiah the prophet said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles.
7 But as for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms.
9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
10 Then the prophet Hananiah took the yoke-bars from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet and broke them.
11 And Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Thus says the Lord: Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all the nations within two years.” But Jeremiah the prophet went his way.
12 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:
13 “Go, tell Hananiah, ‘Thus says the Lord: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron.
14 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: I have put upon the neck of all these nations an iron yoke to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they shall serve him, for I have given to him even the beasts of the field.
15 And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie.
16 Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’”
17 So I will send upon them sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like vile figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten.
Ezekiel 13:1-23: 1 The word of the Lord came to me:
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the Lord!’”
3 Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
4 O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins.
5 You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel, that it might stand in battle in the day of the Lord.
6 They have seen false visions and lying divinations.
7 Have you not seen a false vision and uttered a lying divination, whenever you have said, ‘Declares the Lord,’ although I have not spoken?”
8 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Because you have uttered falsehood and seen lying visions, therefore behold, I am against you, declares the Lord God.
9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord God.
10 Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash,
11 say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
12 Therefore say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! There will be a deluge of rain, and you, O great hailstones, will fall, and a stormy wind break out.
13 Therefore thus says the Lord God: I will make a stormy wind break out in my wrath, and there shall be a deluge of rain in my anger, and great hailstones in wrath to make a full end.
14 And I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
15 Thus will I spend my wrath upon the wall and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash, and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it,
16 to wit, the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her, when there was no peace, declares the Lord God.
17 “And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own minds. Prophesy against them”
18 and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the women who sew magic bands upon all wrists, and make veils for the heads of persons of every stature, in the hunt for souls! Will you hunt down souls belonging to my people and keep your own souls alive?
19 You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, putting to death souls who should not die and keeping alive souls who should not live, by your lying to my people, who listen to lies.
20 “Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against your magic bands with which you hunt the souls like birds, and I will tear them from your arms, and I will let the souls whom you hunt go free, the souls like birds.”
21 I will tear your veils and deliver my people out of your hand, and they shall be no more in your hand as prey, and you shall know that I am the Lord.
22 Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,
23 therefore you shall no more see false visions nor practice divination.
Micah 3:5-12: 5 Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths.
6 Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them;
7 The seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God.
8 But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin.
9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,
10 They build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.
11 Its heads give judgment for a bribe;
its priests teach for a price;
its prophets practice divination for money;
yet they lean on the Lord and say,
“Is not the Lord in the midst of us?
No disaster shall come upon us.”
12 Therefore because of you
Zion shall be plowed as a field;
Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins,
and the mountain of the house a wooded height.
Zechariah 13:2-6: 2 “And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness.”
3 And if anyone again prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the Lord.’ And his father and mother who bore him shall pierce him through when he prophesies.
4 “On that day every prophet will be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies. He will not put on a hairy cloak in order to deceive,
5 But he will say, ‘I am no prophet, I am a worker of the soil, for a man sold me in my youth.’
6 And if one asks him, ‘What are these wounds on your back?’ he will say, ‘The wounds I received in the house of my friends.’
Deuteronomy 18:20-22: 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
Jeremiah 23:9-40: 9 Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the Lord and because of his holy words.
10 For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up.
11 “Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the Lord.”
12 Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the Lord.
13 In the prophets of Samaria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Baal and led my people Israel astray.
14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his evil; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah.”
15 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”
16 Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.
17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’
18 For 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?
19 Behold, the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest;
it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intents of his heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.
21 “I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.”
22 But if they had stood in my council,
then they would have proclaimed my words to my people,
and they would have turned them from their evil way,
and from the evil of their deeds.
23 “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away?”
24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.
25 I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’
26 How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart,
27 who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal?
28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.
29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another.
31 “Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’
32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.
33 “When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord?’ you shall say to them, ‘You are the burden, and I will cast you off, declares the Lord.’”
34 “And as for the prophet, priest, or one of the people who says, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ I will punish that man and his household.”
35 Thus shall you say, each one to his neighbor and each one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
36 But ‘the burden of the Lord’ you shall mention no more, for the burden is every man’s own word, and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.
37 Thus shall you say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and ‘What has the Lord spoken?’
38 But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’ thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have said these words, “The burden of the Lord,” when I sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The burden of the Lord,’”
39 therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave to you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence,
40 And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.
2 Chronicles 18:1-27: 1 Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab.
2 And after some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead.
3 And Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.”
4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.”
5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.”
6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?”
7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”
8 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.”
9 Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting on their thrones, arrayed in their robes. And they were sitting at the threshing floor at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and all the prophets were prophesying before them.
10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made for himself horns of iron and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘With these you shall push the Syrians until they are destroyed.’”
11 And all the prophets prophesied so and said, “Go up to Ramoth-gilead and triumph. The Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”
12 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”
13 And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak.”
14 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.”
15 And the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”
16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’”
17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”
18 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.
19 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab the king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another.
20 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’
21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘By what means?’
22 Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you.”
23 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “Which way did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?”
24 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the Lord go from me to speak to you?”
25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son,
26 and say, ‘Thus says the king, Put this fellow in prison and feed him with meager rations of bread and water until I return in peace.’”
27 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”
Isaiah 30:8-14: 8 And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.
9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;
10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
11 Turn to the Holy One of Israel.
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them,
13 therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant;
14 and its breaking is like that of a potter’s vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”
Jeremiah 14:13-16: 13 Then I said: “Ah, Lord God, behold, the prophets say to them, ‘You shall not see the sword, nor shall you have famine, but I will give you assured peace in this place.’”
14 And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”
15 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed.
16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, victims of famine and sword, with none to bury them—them, their wives, their sons, and their daughters. For I will pour out their evil upon them.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.