We live in an age flooded with information from countless sources. This can make it challenging to distinguish between true news and fake news. Yet, discerning the truth is important, because what we believe influences how we think, feel and act.

Micah’s audience faced a similar challenge—which message is true? After he proclaimed God’s message of judgment, the people pushed back, rejecting his words and preferring messages that aligned with their own desires (Micah 2:11) They did not seem able or willing to discern the truth.

The false prophets ordered Micah to stop preaching (v. 6). Perhaps the people simply didn’t want to hear messages of doom and gloom. They didn’t like being told that God would punish them for their disobedience. They didn’t want to face the reality of their sin and its consequences, saying instead: “disgrace will not overtake us” (v. 6). The people assumed that His patience would not run out—that He would never punish them. But God challenged such thinking (v. 7), reminding them of His law: that they were to live uprightly, not arrogantly (v. 3).

God accused them of exploitation. Instead of an enemy stealing their land (v. 4), the land grabbers had become enemies to their own people—even robbing the unsuspecting of their robes as they walked by (v. 8). They forced women out of their homes and took away God’s “blessing” from the children permanently. This “blessing” likely refers to the honour of land inheritance, a gift from God meant to remain within each family and be passed down the generations.

Because of these sins, God accused the false prophets of peddling fake news and protecting the oppressors.

God then delivered His verdict. He rebuked the land grabbers and false prophets in no uncertain terms: “Get up, go away!” (v. 10). They must leave because the land was no longer a place of peace and security. Their wickedness had polluted the land, much like uncleanness did (see Leviticus 18:25). Because of their sin, the land would be completely destroyed. It must be cleansed of those who had polluted it.

God ended with sharp words for the false prophets (Micah 2:11). He called them “lying windbags” (NET), accusing them of preaching only about wine and beer—messages of pleasure and prosperity that avoided calling the people to repentance. Such preaching was empty and harmful, especially when rebellion was rampant.