Dealing With ‘Appalling’ Ichabod Prophets in the Church Today
Ichabod stays in attack mode, tearing down what God is building, because they have no glory revelation from which to edify, comfort and exhort the body. Beware Ichabod prophets.
I posted that to Facebook and got an especially strong reaction. But when I followed up with a no-holds-barred Facebook Live video, it went viral and thousands of people let out a resounding amen.
In part one of this look at Ichabod prophets, I laid some foundation, and I’ll share that with you again for clarity’s sake. We find mention of Ichabod in 1 Samuel 4:19-21.
[Eli’s] daughter-in-law, Phinehas’ wife, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she kneeled down and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. About the time of her death the women that stood by her said to her, “Do not fear, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or regard it.
She named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory is departed from Israel,” because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband.
The translation of Ichabod is somewhat debated. Some theologians say it simply means “no glory.” Others say the name actually poses a question: “Where is the glory?” The question, of course, suggests the glory is nowhere to be found. Yet another translator offers the meaning, “Alas! The glory,” an expression of bitter sorrow that God’s glory is absent.
If you missed the first article with five characteristics of Ichabod prophets you need to avoid, you can read it here. Here are four more characteristics of Ichabod prophets and how we should deal with this plague in the prophetic.
1. Ichabod prophets do not stand in the Lord’s counsel.
Jeremiah 23:22, “But if they had stood in My counsel and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their deeds.”
Ichabod prophets don’t bask in the glory God. They don’t hide themselves away in that secret place. They do not stand in the Lord’s counsel. Therefore, they do not announce what is on the Father’s heart.
2. Ichabod prophets steal prophetic words from other people.
“See, therefore I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who steal words, each from his neighbor” (Jer. 23:30). I wrote about this extensively in a recent article: “Beware Presumptuous Prophets Who Parrot and Plagiarize Words.”
3. Ichabod prophets boast about how accurate their words and visions are, even though the Lord had no part in it.
Jeremiah 23:32, “See, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, says the Lord, and recount them and cause My people to err by their lies and reckless boasting. Yet I sent them not nor commanded them. Therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says the Lord.”
Braggart prophets are actually in danger of stealing God’s glory. If they did receive a true dream or vision from the Lord and use it to exalt themselves, it’s a scary proposition. More often than not, though, these Ichabod prophets are “prophelying”—lying about what they say they saw or heard.
4. Ichabod prophets prophesy their own words in the name of the Lord, perverting the word of the Lord.
Jeremiah 23:35-36, “Thus will each of you say to his neighbor and to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ For you will no longer remember the oracle of the Lord, because every man’s own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.”
If you are a prophet, remember no one wants your opinion in the name of prophecy. If you are sharing your opinion, make that clear. Don’t leave people thinking you are prophesying “thus saith the Lord” when you are prophesying “thus saith your soul.” By the same token, be careful not to let your personal opinions color your prophecy.
5. Ichabod prophets prophesy the deception in their own minds.
“Then the Lord said to me: The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them nor have I commanded them nor have I spoken to them. They prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and emptiness, and the deceit of their heart” (Jer. 14:14).
What else would you expect from an Ichabod prophet?
The church is putting up with Ichabod prophets!
You’ve now read 10 characteristics of Ichabod prophets. Do you recognize any of these in your midst? If so, what are you going to do about it?
“An appalling and horrible thing has been committed in the land. The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and My people love to have it so. Yet what will you do in the end?” (Jer. 5:30-31).
It’s time to stop tolerating the no-glory, Jezebelic ministry of Ichabod prophets. Stop sowing into their strife-driven ministries. Stop receiving their flattering prophecies.
