JEREMIAH 23
God expects the leaders of His people to be shepherds who love, guide, and care for them. But the shepherds in Judah at that time were selfish and disloyal to God’s covenant.
The kings (1–8) scattered the people and did not protect them or provide for them. But one day God’s King will gather them and establish His kingdom in righteousness. The more we are like Jesus Christ today, the better we will serve others in love.
The prophets and priests (9–40) did not give the people spiritual direction, nor were they examples of godliness. People who lack spiritual direction will lack spiritual discernment and believe anything. The false prophets invented their visions and passed them off as oracles from God. They did not get their messages from God. What they said was chaff compared to the wheat (v.
No wonder false teachers are so popular! The sinful human heart does not want to be burned and broken by the fire and hammer of the Word of God. It prefers the chaff, even though chaff gives no nourishment.
Be sure that the people who give you spiritual counsel are called by God, walk with God, and obey God’s Word. The false prophets’ dreams eventually become nightmares.