How does Jeremiah 20:6 connect with warnings against false prophets in Deuteronomy 18:20? Text Spotlight Jeremiah 20:6: “And you, Pashhur, and all who dwell in your house will go into captivity. You will go to Babylon, and there you will die and be buried — you and all your friends to whom you have prophesied lies.” Deuteronomy 18:20: “But a prophet who presumes to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods — that prophet must be put to death.” Deuteronomy’s Foundational Warning • God alone authorizes prophetic words; anyone fabricating a message faces death. • The penalty underscores how seriously the LORD guards His revelation. • Israel’s spiritual safety depends on this uncompromising standard. Pashhur: A Living Illustration of the Warning • Pashhur, a priest, beats and imprisons Jeremiah for preaching judgment (Jeremiah 20:1-2). • He comforts the people with lies, claiming divine backing (Jeremiah 20:6b). • By doing so, he commits the very crime Deuteronomy 18:20 condemns. How Jeremiah 20:6 Echoes Deuteronomy 18:20 • Same offense – Deuteronomy: presuming to speak for God. – Jeremiah: “you have prophesied lies.” • Same verdict – Deuteronomy: “must be put to death.” – Jeremiah: “there you will die and be buried.” • Same divine Judge – Moses and Jeremiah speak for the same LORD, showing covenant continuity. • Historical enforcement – Torah principle becomes concrete judgment in Jeremiah’s day. Additional Scriptural Reinforcements • Jeremiah 14:14; 23:30-32 — God targets lying prophets. • Jeremiah 28:15-17 — Hananiah’s death for false prophecy. • Ezekiel 13:1-9 — “Woe to the foolish prophets…” • Matthew 7:15 — Jesus warns about false prophets. • 1 John 4:1 — “Test the spirits.” • Galatians 1:8 — Anathema on anyone preaching a different gospel. Practical Takeaways • God’s Word is non-negotiable; altering it invites judgment. • Titles or popularity never trump fidelity to Scripture. • Vigilant discernment protects today’s believers from modern Pashhurs. • God keeps both comforting promises and sobering threats, literally and fully. |
    |