(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Prophesy ye not, [say they to them that] prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, [that] they shall not take shame.
"Don't preach!" - thus they preach! "They shouldn't preach about these things. Shame will not overtake us" -
“Do not preach,” they preach. “Do not preach these things; disgrace will not overtake us.”
Prophesy ye not, thusthey prophesy. They shall not prophesy to these: reproaches shall not depart.
Prophesy{H5197} ye not, say they to them that prophesy{H5197}: they shall not prophesy{H5197} to them, that they shall not take{H5253} shame{H3639}.
Micah 2:6 is a verse from the Old Testament book of Micah, who was a prophet during the 8th century BCE. The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the moral and spiritual decline of the northern kingdom of Israel, as well as issues within the southern kingdom of Judah. Micah's ministry occurred during a time of great social injustice, idolatry, and corruption among the ruling classes and religious leaders.
In Micah 2:6, the prophet addresses a specific issue within the community. The verse captures the sentiment of the people who are rejecting the prophecies of Micah and other prophets. They tell the prophets not to prophesy and insist that the prophecies will not come to pass, hoping to avoid the shame that would come with the fulfillment of these dire predictions. This reflects the people's unwillingness to hear the warnings of God's impending judgment for their sins.
The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Denial and Rebellion**: The people's refusal to accept the prophets' messages indicates their denial of the reality of their situation and their rebellion against God's authority.
2. **False Security**: The people's rejection of the prophets' warnings suggests they have a false sense of security, believing they can avoid the consequences of their actions.
3. **Divine Judgment**: The verse underscores the theme of divine judgment that runs throughout the book of Micah. The people are warned that their actions will lead to shame and punishment if they do not repent.
4. **Prophetic Role**: This verse highlights the role of the prophet in society, which is to speak the truth of God's word, even when it is unpopular or rejected by the people.
In summary, Micah 2:6 reflects the tension between the prophetic call to repentance and the stubborn refusal of the people to listen to God's warnings through His prophets. It speaks to the broader themes of accountability, the consequences of sin, and the importance of heeding divine guidance, which are central to the prophetic books of the Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)