Connect Jeremiah 23:15 to Jesus' warnings about false prophets in Matthew 7:15. Setting the Scene: Two Warnings, One Problem Jeremiah spoke to Judah on the eve of judgment; Jesus spoke to His disciples as He inaugurated the kingdom. Both confronted the same danger: false prophets who poison God’s people. Jeremiah’s Picture of Poison • Jeremiah 23:15: “Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: ‘I will feed them with wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.’” • Key observations – “Prophets of Jerusalem” – leaders expected to guide God’s flock. – “Wormwood … poisoned water” – spiritual teaching so bitter and deadly that it sickens the nation (cf. Deuteronomy 29:18). – Result: “ungodliness has spread” – error is contagious; it moves from pulpit to people. Jesus Exposes the Wolves • Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” • Key observations – “Sheep’s clothing” – the veneer of orthodoxy, sounding Biblical but masking predatory motives. – “Ravenous wolves” – their teaching devours faith, holiness, and unity. – Spoken near the Sermon on the Mount’s conclusion, underscoring a disciple’s need for discernment. Shared Themes Between Jeremiah 23:15 and Matthew 7:15 • Same source: both claim God’s authority while contradicting His word. • Same effect: spiritual poisoning—Jeremiah calls it “wormwood,” Jesus pictures it as a wolf tearing flesh. • Same call: “Beware” (Matthew) mirrors Jeremiah’s prophetic exposure—both urge God’s people to recognize and reject counterfeit voices. • Same solution: hold to God’s true word (Jeremiah 23:22; John 8:31-32). Fruit as the Test • Matthew 7:16-20—“By their fruit you will recognize them.” • Jeremiah 23:16—false prophets “fill you with futile hopes.” Practical indicators: – Doctrine: Does it align with the whole counsel of Scripture? (Acts 20:27). – Character: Is the messenger marked by holiness or hidden sin? (1 Timothy 3:2-7). – Impact: Does the teaching promote obedience and reverence, or license and rebellion? (Romans 6:1-2). Reinforcing Passages • Deuteronomy 18:20-22—tests for prophetic authenticity. • 2 Peter 2:1—false teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies.” • 1 John 4:1—“Test the spirits.” • Matthew 24:11—many false prophets will arise and deceive many. Living Alert Today • Stay rooted in Scripture—daily intake guards against doctrinal poison (Psalm 119:11). • Evaluate teaching, not personalities—wolves wrap themselves in charisma. • Remain in faithful community—plural discernment protects the flock (Hebrews 3:13). • Expect false voices until Christ’s return—vigilance is not optional (2 Timothy 4:3-4). |
    |