What kind of prophet does Micah say the people like?
(Isa. 1:15-23; 3:13-15; 5:7-8; Amos 3:9-11; 5:10-15; 8:4-6; Mic. 2:11; 3:8-12; 6:8; Eze. 34:1-17) Blog July 28-Aug. 3, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: Human beings were created to work. Our work became more difficult when sin entered. Since then no fruit is produced, either of the womb or of the soil, without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of others. When he delivered his people from Egyptian slavery he gave them instructions on how to love others and himself including a Sabbath rest with a special blessing for the poor, the unfortunate, the stranger, and all humanity. Psalms and Proverbs tell us that God helps the poor and the needy and we honor him by doing the same. This is the message of Micah6:8 also.
The Prophets Speak (Isaiah 1:15-23; 3:13-15; 5:7-8; Amos 3:9-11; 5:10-15; 8:4-6)
1. When Isaiah speaks for God in chapter one what does he warn will happen as a result of mistreating the oppressed, the fatherless, and the widows? That God will not hear their prayers.
2. To whom does Isaiah especially give his warnings in chapter one? To the rulers of God’s people.
3. According to Isaiah 3:13-15 for what does God say he will judge the rulers of his people? For living off the labor of the poor & pushing them down while improving their own situation.
4. According to Isaiah 5:7-8 what were the rich doing while oppressing the poor? Adding house to house & field to field.
5. According to Amos 3:9-11 what activities of Samaria did God despise? Riots, oppression, & hoarding loot.
6. According to Amos 5:10-15 how do most people regard those who speaks against oppression? They hate them.
7. If we will hate evil and love goodness and establish justice in our courts, what does Amos say God might do? He might be gracious unto the remnant of his people.
8. What sales techniques of the greedy does Amos describe in chapter 8? Those of falsifying their scales, selling inferior merchandise, & boosting their prices.
Another kind of Spokesman (Micah 2:11; 3:8-12)
9. What kind of prophet does Micah say the people like? The kind that advocates lose living & gluttony.
10. What does Micah 3:8 say that true prophets declare? The sins of God’s people.
11.For what reason does Micah say the judges judge? For reward.
12. For what reason does Micah say the priests teach? For salary.
13. For what reason does Micah say the prophets inquire of God? For money.
Another Form of Oppression (Eze. 34:1-17)
14. When thinking of the poor, the needy, the outcasts, and the prisoners how broad should be our scope? We should include not only those physically so but also the poor in spirit, those needing to hear the Gospel, those excluded from church fellowship, & those imprisoned by evil habits.
15. In Ezekiel 34 who is God accusing of mistreating his people? Their pastors.
16. What is God’s first accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t feed the flock.
17. What is God’s second accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t strengthen the weak.
18. What is God’s third accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t heal the sick.
19. What is God’s fourth accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t bind up broken limbs.
20. What is God’s fifth accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t bring back stolen members of God’s flock.
21. What is God’s sixth accusation against the pastors of his people? That they don’t seek the lost.
22. What is God’s seventh accusation against the pastors of his people? That they have ruled over God’s flock with force & cruelty.
23. With pastors like these what happens to the flock of God? They are scattered without a shepherd.
24. Where does Jesus make similar accusations against the religious leaders of his day? In Matthew 23.
25. According to Ezekiel 34:17 how does God plan to remedy the hypocritical pastors of his flock? By a judgment which separates the true from the false.