What can we learn about false prophets from Jeremiah 37:19? Setting of the Verse Jeremiah, unjustly imprisoned by King Zedekiah, appeals for his own life while exposing the empty assurances of court prophets who had insisted Babylon would never invade (Jeremiah 37). Key Observation from the Text “Where are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, ‘The king of Babylon will not come against you or this land’?” (Jeremiah 37:19) Lessons about False Prophets • Offer comforting promises that contradict God’s revealed word • Disappear or fall silent when events prove them wrong—no accountability, no answers • Lead rulers and people into deadly complacency; false hope invites real judgment • Serve popularity and political favor rather than truth, flattering human authority instead of fearing the LORD (cf. Jeremiah 23:16–17) • Stand exposed by the simple test of fulfillment—what God declares always happens, what they declare does not (Deuteronomy 18:22) Practical Application for Today • Measure every message by Scripture first, not charisma or consensus • Look for long–term faithfulness and proven accuracy before embracing a teacher • Refuse teachings that promise peace while ignoring sin and judgment • Remember that truth sometimes sounds alarming; comfort without repentance is counterfeit • Stay anchored to what God has already spoken rather than chasing new, flattering revelations Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 18:22 ― “When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass… that is a message the LORD has not spoken.” • Jeremiah 14:14 ― “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name.” • Ezekiel 13:6 ― “They claim, ‘This is the oracle of the LORD,’ when the LORD has not sent them.” • Matthew 7:15 ― “Beware of false prophets… inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” • 2 Peter 2:1 ― “False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.” • 1 John 4:1 ― “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” |
    |