Jeremiah 14

Verse of the Day: V20 “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.”

How do you know the true prophets from the false prophets?
 
1.  The False Prophets

V14 “Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.”

The false prophets preach what people want to hear. They would preach on ways of getting rich and famous, and how God can prosper them as they give generously to Him. The false prophets would never preach on holiness, repentance of sins and the judgment of God as these are unpopular sermons for people in sins!

2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
 
2.  The True Prophets

V17 “Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.”

The true prophets preach what is in the heart of God. They preach God’s holiness and righteousness and that the people of God must be holy and righteous. We will never fully understand and experience God’s sorrow and tears until we have rebellious children who have strayed away from us. We will pray day and night in sorrow and tears and even to the extent that God will chastise and punish them so that they will come back to God!

Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercise thereby.”

3.  The Forgiving God

V20 “We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.”

As the true prophet Jeremiah preached to the people, they repented their sins and turned to God, and God forgave them!

Prayer of the Week

Dearest God, please help me to be righteous before You.