Read Jeremiah 23:23-40
The false prophets who surrounded Jerusalem were guilty of three sins:
1. Complacency (v.23-25). They imagined that they were out of sight of God. But there is nowhere that can hide from Him (Psalm 139:7-12). No place on earth is "God-forsaken", but to Him "all hearts are open... and from Him no secrets are hid."
2. Conceit (v.26-32). Deliberately, they gave the people their own ideas instead of the Word of God. As a result, the people forgot the true God (v.27); they went to pieces both morally and spiritually (v.32). There are still preachers and teachers like that today who give their own views on life rather than God's Word. When that Word is preached, it really does something. Look at verse 29. It burns like a fire into the conscience; and it breaks hardened hearts into pieces, like a hammer.
3. Cynicism (v.33-40). The question in verse 33 is asked sarcastically: "Well, Jeremiah, and what has God got to say to us today?" This superficial, cynical approach to the message of the living God brought an immediate and stinging rebuke. "You are the subject of God's message today," Jeremiah was told to reply, "and for you, because of your attitude towards Him, there can only be expulsion from His presence and everlasting shame." God has no time for this, or any other kind of sham. He wants leaders who are genuine and true.
Prayer: Save me, O Lord, from giving my ideas, when all the time people are hungry to know Your Word and Your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Image: Jeremiah weeping.
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