"Discovered"

"They have not discovered thine iniquity." The word 'discovered,' in the King James Version, has a multitude of meanings.

We think of discovered as finding something that was hidden or lost. Finding treasure, lost keys, or true love.

But a more modern rendering of this word would be "to reveal." To make known that which was unknown.

And that was a big failing of these prophets.

We tend to think of prophecy as relating to End Time events. And surely it does, but that is a narrow view. Prophecy is much more 'forth-telling' than it is 'fore-telling.' Plainly speaking the revealed Word of God for todays people.

These prophets were sent to tell of Israel's future, but their future could have changed if they had changed their present actions and attitudes. "Stop sinning. Stop the outward obedience. Bring your hearts close to God, not just your lips. Lift up the weak, the orphans, the widows. Mercy and justice. Compassion."

This message might have saved Judah from destruction. If they had listened and obeyed. If they had truly repented.

But, as Paul says in the epistle to the Romans, "how can they hear if no one is sent." Did God send these prophets, only to have his message twisted by them? Or did they desire the power and acclaim for themselves, and proclaim themselves to be prophets?

I don't know. But, this I do know: They didn't help the people they were meant to serve.