Lies and Deceit

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Jeremiah 23:9-17

 

Jeremiah 23:16

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.

(ESV)

 

The foundation of liberty is truth (John 8:32). Unfortunately, the truth can be hard to accept, especially when it points out one’s mistakes or lies one believes are truth. It is crucial to have a standard of truth to follow that alerts us when we are straying from truth and beginning to believe lies. However, for one to align with this standard of truth in their lives, they must study to know the truth and apply it to their lives. This is what the Jews in Berea did daily (Acts 17:10-15), providing a model we should follow as Christians to maintain our liberty in Christ

 

The text of Jeremiah 23:9-17 is the beginning of Jeremiah’s calling out of the lying prophets of Israel. His heart is broken at the lies spread by these prophets with Jeremiah calling them adulterers bringing down a curse on the land and the drying up of the pastures and wilderness (Jeremiah 23:9-10). Jeremiah continues his discourse by calling out the ungodliness of the prophets and priests with him finding evil even in the Temple, the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 23:11). This ungodliness is a slippery path that will lead to their fall and disaster (Jeremiah 23:12).

 

While the prophets of Israel have done an unsavory thing by prophesying by Baal, the prophets of Jerusalem have done a horrible thing by walking in lies. This prophesying by lies has strengthened the hands of evildoers so that no one turns from evil and instead continues in evil and sin like Sodom and Gomorrah (Jeremiah 23:13-14). The consequences for these lying prophets are illustrated as one eating bitter food and drinking poisoned water (Jeremiah 23:15). Jeremiah tells the people that the Lord says not to listen to the words of these lying prophets who promise vain hopes that are from their own minds and not from the Lord (Jeremiah 23:16-17).

 

The prophet Jeremiah is referred to as the weeping prophet. In this passage, Jeremiah shares a cause for his weeping so-called prophets of God who lie and lead the people astray. The office of a prophet has a high standard to only prophesy about God’s Word (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). While Scripture does not specifically tell us if the lying prophets provided a sign or wonder that led the people to the worship of Baal Jeremiah does specifically call out the prophets of Samaria for prophesying by Baal, leading the people of Israel astray (Jeremiah 23:13). It is also possible the people were led astray by prophets prophesying by Baal telling the people all will be well and that there will be no consequences from the duplicitous practice of worshiping false gods and God who commanded them not to worship any other gods (Exodus 20:1-3).

 

In 2 Timothy 4:3-4 the Apostle Paul warns Timothy of a coming time when the people will not seek sound teaching of truth from the Word of God. Instead, people will seek teaching that suits their own passions straying from the truth. Sadly, many churches do not preach about something Christians and non-Christians have in common, sin (Romans 3:23) due to not wanting to offend anyone and risk them leaving the Church or stop contributing to the Church. Instead, the preaching is to have people follow the passions of their hearts which are deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).

 

The truth of the Gospel is that we all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that the penalty for that sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is the hard truth everyone must face, but there is good news in that Jesus died for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). To receive the gift of salvation from God, one must make a profession of belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your Savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.