Jeremiah 23

Verse of the Day: V6 “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Prophet Jeremiah wept and warned the pastors, prophets and people to truly live what they preach, teach and believe otherwise the judgments of God shall be upon them. Yet time and time again, they sinned against God, and hence God’s judgments were upon them through enemies’ invasion and disasters such as famines, earthquakes and flood. 
  
1.  The Pastors failed to live what they believe.

V1 “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! Saith the LORD.”

The pastors or the kings were not leading the people according to God’s Word but instead used their own wisdom and led the people astray in worshipping other gods and idols.

V2 “Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.”

2.  The Prophets failed to live what they believe.

V30 “Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.”

The prophets in order to be appealing in their messages as well as popular with the people who were openly sinning against God, stole God’s Word by preaching their own words of vain hopes without God’s messages of repentance and obedience.

V16 “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”

3.  The Righteous Lord never fails His people!

V6 “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
   
However, God never fails in spite of the false pastors and prophets because He shall preserve a remnant who shall be His righteous pastors, prophets and people!

V3 “And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.”

Prayer of the Week

Dearest God, please help me to live what I believe.