Addressing Misconceptions about Fabricated Prophecies in Scripture
Addressing Misconceptions about Fabricated Prophecies in Scripture
The concept of prophecy is central to the biblical narrative, with numerous passages warning against false prophets and fabricated prophecies. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, prophecy is defined as "a miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture" [1]. The Bible cautions against false prophets who claim to speak on behalf of God but are actually driven by their own desires or deceitful spirits [2].
In the Old Testament, false prophets are described as those who "have seen falsehood and lying divination" and claim "Yahweh says; but Yahweh has not sent them" (Ezekiel 13:6) [3]. These individuals are characterized as covetous, crafty, and immoral, and are compared to "foxes in the desert" (Ezekiel 13:4) [2]. The Bible warns that false prophets can lead people astray, making them "hope that the word would be confirmed" (Ezekiel 13:6) [3].
The New Testament also addresses the issue of false prophets, with Jesus warning his followers to "beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15) [5]. The apostle Peter cautions against "cunningly devised fables" and emphasizes the importance of the "sure word of prophecy" (2 Peter 1:19) [6]. According to John Gill, this "word of prophecy" refers to the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ [6].
The distinction between true and false prophecy is crucial in understanding the biblical concept of prophecy. True prophecy is characterized as being inspired by God, with prophets being "raised up by God" and "moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) [4]. In contrast, false prophecy is driven by human desires or deceitful spirits. The biblical warnings against false prophets and fabricated prophecies serve as a reminder to discern and test prophetic claims against the standard of Scripture.
The historical context of biblical prophecy also sheds light on the issue. In ancient Israel, prophecy was a significant aspect of religious life, with prophets playing a crucial role in guiding the people and conveying God's message. However, the presence of false prophets complicated this landscape, leading to confusion and deception. The biblical authors' warnings against false prophets reflect their concern for the integrity of God's message and the well-being of his people.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prophecy — Or prediction, was one of the functions of the prophet. It has been defined as a "miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture." (See [509]PROPHET.) The great prediction which runs like a golden thread through the whole contents of the Old Testament is that regarding the coming and work of the Messiah; and the great use of prophecy was to perpetuate faith in his coming, and to prepare the world for that event. But there are many subordinate an”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophets, False — Pretended to be sent by God -- Jer 23:17,18,31. Not sent or commissioned by God -- Jer 14:14; 23:21; 29:31. Made use of by God to prove Israel -- De 13:3. Described as Light and treacherous. -- Zep 3:4. Covetous. -- Mic 3:11. Crafty. -- Mt 7:15. Drunken. -- Isa 28:7. Immoral and profane. -- Jer 23:11,14. Women sometimes acted as -- Ne 6:14; Re 2:20. Called foolish prophets -- Eze 13:2. Compared to foxes in the desert -- Eze 13:4. Compared to wind -- Jer 5:13. Influenced by evil spirits -- 1Ki 22:21,22. Prophesied Falsely. -- Jer 5:31. Lies in the na”
- Ezekiel “They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Yahweh says; but Yahweh has not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed. -- Ezekiel 13:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prophecy — Is the foretelling of future events -- Ge 49:1; Nu 24:14. God is the author of -- Isa 44:7; 45:21. God gives, through Christ -- Re 1:1. A gift of Christ -- Eph 4:11; Re 11:3. A gift of the Holy Spirit -- 1Co 12:10. Came not by the will of man -- 2Pe 1:21. Given from the beginning -- Lu 1:70. Is a sure word -- 2Pe 1:19. They who uttered Raised up by God. -- Am 2:11. Ordained by God. -- 1Sa 3:20; Jer 1:5. Sent by God. -- 2Ch 36:15; Jer 7:25. Sent by Christ. -- Mt 23:34. Filled with the Holy Spirit. -- Lu 1:67. Moved by the Holy Spirit. -- 2Pe 1:21. Spoke by ”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:15: We have here a caution against false prophets, to take heed that we be not deceived and imposed upon by them. Prophets are properly such as foretel things to come; there are some mentioned in the Old Testament, who pretended to that without warrant, and the event disproved their pretensions, as Zedekiah, Kg1 22:11, and another Zedekiah, Jer 29:21. But prophets did also teach the people their duty, so that false prophets here are false teachers. Christ being a Prophet and a Teacher come from God, and designing to send abroad teachers under him, gives warning to al”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:19: Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, Pe2 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses ”