Micah 3:7
Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God."
Then the seers
The term "seers" refers to those who claim to have visions or insights into the divine will. In Hebrew, the word is "חֹזִים" (chozim), which denotes those who see or perceive. Historically, seers were respected figures in Israelite society, often consulted for guidance. However, in this context, Micah is addressing false seers who have led the people astray. Their shame is a result of their failure to deliver true messages from God, highlighting the importance of genuine spiritual discernment.

will be ashamed
The Hebrew root for "ashamed" is "בּוֹשׁ" (bosh), which conveys a deep sense of disgrace and humiliation. In the biblical context, shame often results from a failure to meet divine standards or expectations. Here, the seers' shame is a public acknowledgment of their false prophecies and the emptiness of their claims. This serves as a warning against the dangers of false prophecy and the ultimate accountability to God.

and the diviners
"Diviners" in Hebrew is "קֹסְמִים" (qosemim), referring to those who practice divination or seek to predict the future through occult means. Divination was explicitly condemned in the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), as it represented a reliance on sources other than God for guidance. The inclusion of diviners alongside seers underscores the widespread corruption and spiritual decay among those who were supposed to lead the people in righteousness.

disgraced
The word "disgraced" comes from the Hebrew "חָפֵר" (chaper), meaning to be confounded or put to shame. This disgrace is a divine judgment on those who have misled the people. It reflects the biblical principle that those who lead others astray will ultimately face God's justice. The disgrace of the diviners is a testament to the futility of seeking wisdom apart from God.

They will all cover their mouths
Covering the mouth is a gesture of silence and shame, indicating an inability to speak or defend oneself. In ancient Near Eastern culture, this act symbolized submission and acknowledgment of wrongdoing. The imagery here suggests that the false prophets and diviners will be rendered speechless, unable to justify their falsehoods in the face of God's truth.

because there is no answer from God
The absence of an answer from God signifies divine silence and rejection. In the Hebrew context, "answer" (עָנָה, anah) implies a response or communication from God. The silence of God is a severe judgment, indicating that He has withdrawn His guidance and presence due to the people's persistent disobedience. This serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of seeking His will earnestly and truthfully.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Micah
A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea. He prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and his messages were directed towards both Israel and Judah.

2. Seers
Individuals in ancient Israel who claimed to have the ability to see visions and predict the future. They were often consulted for divine guidance.

3. Diviners
Practitioners who attempted to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge through various means, often considered illegitimate or false prophets in the biblical context.

4. Judah and Israel
The divided kingdoms of the Hebrew people during Micah's time. Judah was the southern kingdom, and Israel was the northern kingdom.

5. God's Judgment
The event or action of divine retribution that Micah prophesies against the false prophets and leaders of Israel and Judah for their corruption and misleading of the people.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of False Prophecy
False prophets and diviners will face shame and disgrace when their predictions fail, highlighting the importance of truth and integrity in spiritual leadership.

The Silence of God
When God does not answer, it is often a sign of judgment or disapproval. This silence serves as a warning to seek genuine repentance and alignment with God's will.

Discernment in Leadership
Believers are called to discern the truth and be wary of those who claim to speak for God without evidence of His endorsement. True prophecy aligns with God's revealed word.

The Importance of Accountability
Spiritual leaders are accountable to God for their teachings. Misleading others for personal gain leads to divine judgment and public disgrace.

Repentance and Restoration
While Micah 3:7 speaks of judgment, it also implies the possibility of restoration through repentance. Turning back to God can restore communication and favor.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of seers and diviners in Micah 3:7 compare to the role of prophets in the New Testament?

2. What are some modern-day examples of false prophecy, and how can we discern them in light of biblical teaching?

3. How does the concept of God's silence in Micah 3:7 challenge or encourage your personal faith journey?

4. In what ways can church leaders today ensure they are accountable to God and their congregations?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "silence" from God. How did it impact your faith, and what steps did you take to seek His guidance again?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Jeremiah 14:14
This verse speaks of false prophets who prophesy lies in God's name, similar to the seers and diviners in Micah 3:7 who are disgraced due to their falsehoods.

Ezekiel 13:9
God declares His opposition to false prophets, promising that they will not be part of the assembly of His people, echoing the disgrace and shame mentioned in Micah 3:7.

Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing, which aligns with the theme of false guidance and the resulting shame in Micah 3:7.
False ProphetsHomilistMicah 3:5-7
False ProphetsD. Thomas Micah 3:5-7
People
Jacob, Micah
Places
Adullam, Jerusalem, Zion
Topics
Ashamed, Confounded, Cover, Covered, Covering, Disappointed, Disgraced, Diviners, Embarrassed, Faces, Future, Indeed, Lip, Lips, Loss, Mouths, O, Readers, Seers, Shame, Shamed, Upper, Yea, Yes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Micah 3:7

     5195   veil
     7781   seer

Library
The Apostasy in Two Days.
In our introduction we gave a number of texts which spoke of the whole of the gospel dispensation as one day; but any period of time distinguished by some extraordinary historic event may be and is also termed a day. The apostasy or dark noonday being under two forms is marked in Bible history as two days. The first form of the apostasy, namely, Catholicism, is called by the Scriptures a "dark day." A Cloudy Day. The second form of the apostasy was not such utter darkness as the first, and is therefore
Charles Ebert Orr—The Gospel Day

Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
The priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say: Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us.--Micah iii. 11. E furon le sue opere e le sue colpe Non creder leonine ma di volpe. Pulci, Morg. Magg. xix. Chrysostom would fain have taken Philip with him, for Philip grew more and more endeared and more and more useful to him. But Philip, as manager of the Archbishop's household and an assistant in all matters of business,
Frederic William Farrar—Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St. Chrysostom

Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up Himself to Take Hold on Thee,"
Isaiah lxiv. 7.--"And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold on thee," &c. They go on in the confession of their sins. Many a man hath soon done with that a general notion of sin is the highest advancement in repentance that many attain to. You may see here sin and judgment mixed in thorough other(315) in their complaint. They do not so fix their eyes upon their desolate estate of captivity, as to forget their provocations. Many a man would spend more affection,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Purpose in the Coming of Jesus.
God Spelling Himself out in Jesus: change in the original language--bother in spelling Jesus out--sticklers for the old forms--Jesus' new spelling of old words. Jesus is God following us up: God heart-broken--man's native air--bad choice affected man's will--the wrong lane--God following us up. The Early Eden Picture, Genesis 1:26-31. 2:7-25: unfallen man--like God--the breath of God in man--a spirit, infinite, eternal--love--holy--wise--sovereign over creation, Psalm 8:5-8--in his own will--summary--God's
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). Has God foreordained everything that comes to pass? Has He decreed that what is, was to have been? In the final analysis this is only another way of asking, Is God now governing the world and everyone and everything in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and at random? If He is governing it according to some purpose, then
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
I. NAMES AND TITLES. 1. THE BIBLE. 2. THE TESTAMENTS. 3. THE SCRIPTURES. 4. THE WORD OF GOD. II. INSPIRATION. 1. DEFINITION. 2. DISTINCTIONS. a) Revelation. b) Illumination. c) Reporting. 3. VIEWS: a) Natural Inspiration. b) Christian Illumination. c) Dynamic Theory. d) Concept Theory. e) Verbal Inspiration. f) Partial Inspiration. g) Plenary Inspiration. 4. THE CLAIMS OF THE SCRIPTURES THEMSELVES: a) The Old Testament. b) The New Testament. 5. THE CHARACTER (OR DEGREES) OF INSPIRATION. a) Actual
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Micah
Micah must have been a very striking personality. Like Amos, he was a native of the country--somewhere in the neighbourhood of Gath; and he denounces with fiery earnestness the sins of the capital cities, Samaria in the northern kingdom, and Jerusalem in the southern. To him these cities seem to incarnate the sins of their respective kingdoms, i. 5; and for both ruin and desolation are predicted, i. 6, iii. 12. Micah expresses with peculiar distinctness the sense of his inspiration and the object
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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