July 23, 2024
Beware of False Prophets -- Part 2
Jeremiah 23:16-17
07/23/2024
16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: ``Do not listen to
the words of the prophets who prophesy to you,
filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of
their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
17 They say continually to those who despise the word
of the LORD, `It shall be well with you'; and to
everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart,
they say, `No disaster shall come upon you.'''
(ESV)
The prophet Jeremiah was sent by God to call the nation of
Judah to repentance and to announce the coming Babylonian
captivity. He also proclaimed God's love, grace, and mercy in
foretelling the coming of Jesus Christ to redeem all people from
sin, death, and the power of the devil.
Jeremiah, at the command of God, said:
Thus says the LORD of hosts: ``Do not listen to the
words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you
with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds,
not from the mouth of the LORD. They say continually
to those who despise the word of the LORD, `It shall be
well with you'; and to everyone who stubbornly follows
his own heart, they say, `No disaster shall come upon
you.'''
This call is also for our time and day. As a nation, we
have turned away from God's Word to the point that even in
churches the clear voice of Scripture is lost. The message of
the church often is the message of the world, completely opposed
to the Bible. Instead of seeking first the Kingdom of God, we
seek vain and questionable pleasures. That which is clearly
against God's holy law is celebrated with prideful arrogance.
The message of the church has turned into the same message
given by the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. No
longer do we hear that our salvation from sin and eternal death
is given to us by God's free grace and favor through the
suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
May our Lord grant that we hear His warning, and that we
read, learn, and study His Word for our eternal blessing. Amen.