" Divine Opposition "

 

Jeremiah 23:25-32 "I have heard what the prophets said that prophesy lies in MY name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies ? Yea, they are prophets of the deceits of their own hearts; which think to cause MY people to forget MY name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten MY name for Baal. The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath MY WORD, let him speak MY WORD faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat ? saith the LORD. Is not MY WORD like as a fire ? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces ? Therefore, behold, I AM against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal MY WORDs every one from his neighbor. Behold, I AM against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, HE saith. Behold, I AM against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause MY people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD."

     In Jeremiah's day, false prophets attracted great attention and large followings by telling their dreams to all who would listen. No doubt many of those dreams were fascinating, exciting the imaginations of the crowd and leaving people "on the edge of their seats" to hear what was coming next. But these dreamers forgot one thing -- the LORD knew that their dreams were the product of deceived hearts and that they were leading the masses away from HIM, not toward HIM (vv.25-25 pictured above). God knew that their real purpose was to cause the people to forget HIM, making Judah ripe for almost every kind of false doctrine and idolatry that came along. HE illustrated the vast difference between telling a mere dream and faithfully speaking HIS WORD (vv. 28-29). HE reminded the Israelites that HIS WORD is powerful and beneficial, unlike the dreams of these false prophets whose messages were but "chaff" compared to the wheat. The WORD of GOD would, "as a fire," incinerate the presumptuous claims of the deceivers and, "like a hammer," destroy the evil inventions of their heart (v.29 pictured below).

     In our day, we, too, have an abundance of "dreamers" -- ecumenical dreamers, charismatic dreamers, and, more recently, evangelical dreamers. New programs that supposedly provide a better way to do the work of the LORD regularly emerge. But when comparing the dreams of these groups with the Bible, it becomes clear that no matter how sincere they may be, they are deceiving themselves and their followers. The Bible must be the believer's sole authority for faith and practice. Man's motives, even if they are honorable, must bear fruit that aligns with scriptural principles.

     Three times in the last three verses of today's text GOD said that HE was against the false prophets, and in each instance, HE explained why this was so. In verse thirty, GOD was against the prophets who stole HIS WORDs from their neighbors. It is a terrible thing to withhold GOD's truth from those who need to hear it. In verse thirty-one, GOD opposed the prophets who falsely claimed to be speaking HIS WORD. This text reveals just how much the LORD hates such brazen deception. In verse thirty-two, GOD rebuked the prophets who told false dreams and caused HIS people to err. These phony prophets certainly incurred the wrath of GOD. Furthermore, the LORD told them that they would be of no help at all to their followers (v.32). How hardened the hearts of these prophets must have been in order for them to continue telling their lies despite the damage that was being done to themselves and their listeners. Straying from the SHEPHERD's care causes the believer to be easy prey for the ravening wolves (Matthew 7:15 pictured above; Acts 20:29 pictured below).

    Sadly, a similar situation exists today. Far too many people want to hear supposed dreams or a "prophetic word" rather than the sure WORD of GOD, or they want a social gathering, not doctrine. Far too many sound Pastors are unwilling to warn about the dangers of the ecumenical, charismatic, and evangelical dreamers. As a result, immature, unspiritual, and undiscerning people are being carried away with every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14 pictured below). Do not listen to these dreamers and certainly do not support them ! Rather, warn about their dangerous words, stay by the sure WORD, and stand with faithful Christian leaders who refuse to compromise GOD's truth when under fire. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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