Prophets for Profit

Imagine a city on the brink of collapse. Corrupt leaders exploit the people, the wealthy grow richer at the expense of the poor, and justice is for sale. Those who should speak the truth—prophets, priests, and rulers—have been bought, trading God’s word for personal gain. Instead of calling the people to righteousness, they tell them exactly what they want to hear: "Peace, peace," when there is no peace. They silence anyone who dares to challenge them, painting a false picture of security while the nation edges closer to disaster.

This was the reality of ancient Israel in the days of the prophet Micah. He lived during a time of immense political, social, and spiritual corruption. The northern kingdom of Israel was falling under Assyrian invasion, and Judah, the southern kingdom, was walking the same dangerous path. Leaders were supposed to guide the people with justice and righteousness, but instead, they used their positions for personal gain. Even the prophets—God’s supposed messengers—were guilty. They only prophesied blessings for those who filled their pockets, but they declared war against anyone who didn’t pay up.Into this mess steps Micah, a lone figure armed not with wealth or status, but with the Spirit of the Lord. In Micah 3:5-8, we find a searing indictment of these false prophets and a bold declaration of Micah’s own mission. Read Text

This is no gentle rebuke—it’s a divine courtroom scene, with God as the judge and Micah as the prosecutor. The false prophets are exposed, their fate sealed: a spiritual blackout where their visions dry up and their words fall flat. But Micah stands apart, not because of his own merit, but because God has equipped him with power, justice, and courage to speak the hard truth Judah needs to hear.

This passage is more than just a history lesson—it speaks directly to us today. We live in a world where many claim to speak for God, but not all voices are true. Some twist Scripture for personal gain, others preach comfort while avoiding hard truths, and many seek to silence those who stand for righteousness. As we dive into this passage, we must ask ourselves: Are we listening to the voices of truth, or the voices of convenience? Are we seeking God’s word, or just words that make us feel good? Three things this morning.

The CONDEMNATION of False Prophets.

Verse 5; Micah begins with a standard prophetic formula: “Thus says the LORD.”True prophets did not speak from their own desires, but from the command of God. Their role was not to seek popularity or wealth, but to call people back to God, even at great personal cost (Jeremiah was imprisoned; Elijah was persecuted; Amos was rejected). By contrast, the false prophets in Micah’s day were not concerned with God’s truth. Instead of faithfully delivering God's word, they manipulated their message for selfish gain. Isaiah (who lived at the same time as Micah) mentioned the same problem in Isaiah 3:12. Micah reveals the primary characteristic of false prophets: they mislead God’s people for profit. Their message was determined not by divine revelation, but by material benefit. Their prophecy wasn’t from God—it was a transaction. Feed their bellies, and they’ll tell you what you want to hear. Starve them, and they’ll curse you. This wasn’t a new phenomenon; the same things was happening in Jeremiah’s day (Jeremiah 6:13-14). False prophets don’t heal; they slap a band-aid on a gaping wound and call it fixed. In Judah, this meant ignoring the idolatry, injustice, and rebellion that were inviting God’s judgment. If someone refused to pay them or support their agenda, the false prophets would turn against them, pronouncing curses or threats. This is a complete perversion of the prophetic office, as prophets were supposed to fear God, not seek personal benefit (Ezekiel 13:19). Notice what Micah accuses them of: They misled the people into false security. Their message to the people was peace if you “pay up” and “war” if you don’t.By proclaiming "peace" when there was none, false prophets made the people complacent in their sin. Instead of warning about impending judgment, they reassured people that all was well (Lamentations 2:14). Instead of calling the people to repentance, they encouraged spiritual complacency. Because these prophets served their own interests, they refused to challenge corrupt rulers or denounce injustice. This allowed oppression to flourish unchecked. Corrupt prophets helped maintain a corrupt system by staying silent when they should have spoken out. Micah 3:5 is not just an ancient warning—it is highly relevant today. False prophets and teachers still exist, and they operate with the same corrupt motives: The Prosperity Gospel Movement – Many preachers today promise "peace" and prosperity as long as people donate money. They manipulate Scripture to justify their lavish lifestyles while ignoring repentance and holiness (2 Peter 2:1-3). Compromised Preachers Who Avoid Hard Truths – Many churches today refuse to preach about sin, repentance, or judgment because they fear losing members or financial support (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Religious Leaders Who Promote Political or Cultural Agendas Over God’s Word – Some religious figures manipulate their platform for power or social influence, prioritizing political ideology over biblical truth. Are we discerning truth from deception? Are we following leaders who preach the whole counsel of God, or are we drawn to messages that make us comfortable but ignore our need for repentance? Let us seek teachers who boldly proclaim the truth, and let us, like Micah, stand for righteousness, even when it costs us.

The Judgment on False Prophets.

Verses 6-7; This passage describes God’s judgment on false prophets, particularly how He will strip them of their ability to deceive the people. Their so-called "prophetic" powers will fail, and they will be exposed as frauds. Micah declares that false prophets will experience "night without vision" and "darkness without divination." In biblical imagery, light represents God’s presence, truth, and revelation, while darkness symbolizes judgment, ignorance, and separation from God. By declaring that the sun will go down on the prophets, Micah is announcing that God will withdraw His presence from them. Just as the setting sun plunges the world into darkness, so too will these false prophets be cut off from divine insight and revelation. Since these individuals have misused their position, God will remove their ability to speak in His name. This is a terrifying judgment. Imagine a preacher standing in the pulpit, opening the Bible, and having nothing to say—no insight, no conviction, no revelation.The worst thing that can happen to a people or a prophet is to be abandoned by God, left without His guidance. "The seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame." This suggests public humiliation. The people who once revered these false prophets will see them exposed as frauds (Luke 12:2-3). False prophets thrive in deception, but God’s judgment will bring everything to light. Micah says that these false prophets will "cover their lips." In ancient Israel, covering one’s lips was a sign of mourning, shame, and uncleanliness. By using this imagery, Micah is portraying false prophets as spiritually unclean, rejected by both God and society. False prophets loved attention, influence, and power, but when God’s judgment falls, they will have nothing left. The divine silence will strip them of their authority, leaving them in shame.

This is a sobering reminder that those who misuse spiritual authority will ultimately be disgraced by God (Matthew 7:22-23). God will not be mocked—those who falsely claim to speak for Him will be held accountable. Once God removes His word from false prophets, there is no recovery. Unlike true prophets (such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah), who repented and continued to receive God’s messages, false prophets will be permanently cut off. If we reject God’s truth long enough, He may give us over to our deception and leave us in spiritual silence. False prophets may deceive people for a time, but God will ultimately expose and judge them.

The Empowerment of a True Prophet.

Verse 8; While the false prophets flounder in darkness, Micah stands in the light. Why? Not because he’s smarter or stronger, but because God’s Spirit fills him. This isn’t self-confidence; it’s divine empowerment. Unlike false prophets who relied on human wisdom, manipulation, or greed, Micah’s authority came directly from God (Zechariah 4:6;

2 Peter 1:21). True prophecy is not about charisma or influence—it is about being filled with the Spirit of God. Throughout Scripture, true prophets were often outnumbered, ridiculed, and persecuted. The only way they could remain faithful was through the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Micah knew that without God’s Spirit, he would not be able to stand firm. But with the Spirit, he could speak with divine authority. Micah declares that he is filled "with justice and might." This means that his ministry was not about personal gain, but about upholding God’s standards. While false prophets were complicit in corruption and injustice, Micah spoke against sin, oppression, and social evil. True prophets are not merely predictors of the future—they are moral voices calling people back to God. Micah states that he is filled with power "to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin." This is a critical function of true prophecy—exposing sin and calling people to repentance.  Micah did not soften his message to avoid offending people. He fearlessly spoke the truth, even when it was unpopular. A true prophet does not seek to please people but instead calls out sin wherever it exists—even among the powerful.

So where does this leave us? Micah 3:5-8 is a mirror and a challenge. It asks: What voices are we listening to? The books you read; the sermons you listen to online. Are they pointing us to God or to a dead end? It warns: Falsehood has a shelf life—judgment comes, and the truth stands. And it calls: Will we, like Micah, let the Spirit fill us to speak and live with courage and conviction?