The Consequences of Delivering False Prophecies

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 29:24-32

 

Jeremiah 29:31-32

“Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie, therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the Lord, for he has spoken rebellion against the Lord.’”

(ESV)

 

Those with a calling to teach the Word of God have a high calling and are held by God to a higher standard (James 3:1). For those professing to teach according to the precepts of the Word of God but instead use God to add relevancy to their agenda, the consequences can be dire. Such is the fate of Shemaiah in Jeremiah 29:24-32, and a stern warning to anyone called to teach the Word of God today.

 

Jeremiah 29:24-32 begins with the Lord instructing Jeremiah to give a word to Shemaiah of Nehelam (Jeremiah 29:24). The word is regarding letters sent to those in Jerusalem, Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and all the priests (Jeremiah 29:25). Shemaiah directs the letters to Zephaniah who is a priest instead of Jehoiada to have charge over those prophesying to put Shemaiah in stocks and neck irons (Jeremiah 29:26). This indicates a desire of Shemaiah to protect his ability to accomplish his agenda rather than deliver truth from God. The content of the letters now becomes personal for Jeremiah, with Shemaiah asking Zephaniah why he has not rebuked Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:27). Shemaiah’s contention with Jeremiah is his instructions to those in exile to build houses to live in and plant gardens to eat the produce (Jeremiah 29:28).

 

Zephaniah reads the letter in the presence of Jeremiah who then receives a word from the Lord (Jeremiah 29:29-30). The Word from the Lord given to Jeremiah is that Shemaiah is a false prophet not sent from God (Jeremiah 29:31). Shemaiah will suffer the dire consequences of no descendants plus not living to see the return of the exiles to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 29:32).                                                     

 

Shemaiah has a desire for the exiles to return quickly from exile and issues a prophecy telling the people remaining in Jerusalem, Zephaniah, and all the priests that Jeremiah is a madman prophet because he has asked for them to put him in stocks and neck irons (Jeremiah 29:24-27). Shemaiah’s point of contention with Jeremiah is his instructions for those in exile to build houses to live in and to plant gardens and eat what they produce (Jeremiah 29:28). These instructions indicate a lengthy exile and not a swift return to Judah’s previous rebellion against God, time for repentance (Jeremiah 9:13-16). While scripture is not clear, Shemaiah possibly has a hidden agenda, leading to a desire for a short exile. One possible explanation is that Shemaiah profited from his prophecies but with much of the nation in exile, saw his profits decline. It is also possible he had property in Judah he feared he would lose while in exile. In either instance, Shemaiah appears to be acting in his self-interest and not the best interest of God’s people.

 

God holds those called to teach the Word of God to a higher standard (James 3:1). Therefore, teachers of the Bible must ensure their teaching aligns with the Word of God. The student of the Word of God must also follow the example of the Bereans studying the Word of God daily (Acts 17:10-11) for the teacher may deliver false teaching. Daily study of scripture is not just for those with a calling to teach but something that makes it possible for the student to discern false teaching that does not align with the Word of God. In this time of lies and deception, it has never been more important for believers in Jesus as their Savior to discern truth from lies. Teachers of the Bible who compromise their teaching in the interest of retaining members and increasing contributions are not adhering to the high standard of one with a calling to teach the Word of God (Titus 1:5-2:15) and risk dire circumstances like those Shemaiah experienced. May God bless and challenge all reading this post.