Jeremiah 23

Comments (5)

1. I can’t help but wonder how the people (the masses) manage their faith during this time. The Prophets are misleading them (except for Jeremiah). I’m sure Jeremiah’s different message makes him seem like the false one. Ultimately the masses will also pay for the misdirection of the Prophets. Seems the best course would be to follow ones own belief and interpretation of the word. Hmm?

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2. Wow! There is much in this one chapter.

   I am struck by the faithless leaders (shepherds) who lead God’s people astray. God will hold them accountable. I think of James 3:1 for our current day and our need for godly leaders who lead people to greater intimacy with God rather than to the pleasures of the flesh.

   The promise to raise up for David a righteous Branch in Jeremiah 23:5 is encouraging. However, part of this has not been fulfilled yet. Certainly the promise that Judah will be saved in terms of those who trust in Christ, the righteous Branch of David. But this announcement is more of a reigning king to deliver from their enemies. The keywords like ‘dwell securely’ and the prompt in the next few verses that people will celebrate the return to the land all point to a physical reign of King Jesus which will not occur until the Millennium.

   The section about the lying prophets is sobering in that these false prophets do not even have the shame to do stuff clandestinely, but openly in the temple (Jeremiah 23:10-11). Think of how bad it had to be so that God says that the people ‘worshipping’ have become like Sodom and Gomorrah!
   I am glad that our leadership stands in the council of the LORD to see and hear his word and try to pay attention to his word and listen (Jeremiah 23:18).

   I wonder if Jeremiah 23:20 refers back to a few chapters ago where Jeremiah preaches to Jehoiakim and Jehoash (Shallum)? For there in the final hours before Babylon invades they ask Jeremiah to intercede to God for mercy. Perhaps this is the ‘latter days’ where they will understand clearly concerning God’s judgment.

   Finally, Jeremiah 23:23-24 is encouraging to me. I realize that in context God is using it to explain how his people cannot hide their sin from him. But how encouraging to know that NOTHING escapes God’s gaze! He knows our coming and our going and all that has and will ever occur in our lives. That knowledge fills the faithful follower with awe and praise and those who forsake God with fear and shame.

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3. The chapter makes clear that God holds those who lead as well as declare His Word responsible for the direction they give, the example they set and the information they share. And yet in response to Robert above, God also doesn’t completely free those being lead from responsibility over themselves as well. Paul applauds the Bereans for being noble in testing what Paul said with the Scriptures. We are all accountable to be in the word and growing in a relationship with God. Portions of Scripture like this make it clear leaders are more responsible. I think it is fair to say that king, priest and prophet are brought to task here. It is encouraging that God points to a time where He will accomplish really what these leaders should have been accomplishing all along. I can’t help but think of Jesus when I read Jeremiah 23:6. It certainly ascribes deity to a king that is sent.

   But after these words detailing the work of God, God lambasts the prophets for all the wrong they are doing. They not only speak things wrong, but promote behavior that is the complete opposite of what God encourages. And all the while saying, we are speaking for God. This chapter should cause all of us to reflect on how sure we are when we find ourselves “speaking for God”. It does make me think of all those false teachers today that do the same thing. May we not be presumptuous about what we declare to be of God, but may we also pursue God to the extent we can be confident that we are hearing from Him.

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4. 5″Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’
   7″Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ 8but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ Then they shall dwell in their own land.”

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5. Jeremiah announces the true shepherd,
   “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord,
   “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
   A King shall reign and [a]prosper,
   And execute [b]judgment and righteousness in the [c]earth.
   6 In His days Judah will be saved,
   And Israel will dwell safely;
   Now this is His name by which He will be called:

   THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

   and then relays God’s message to the false prophets and priests:

   “Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who steal My words every one from his neighbor. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’ 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams,” says the Lord, “and tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their recklessness. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,” says the Lord.

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