How does Jeremiah 5:13 connect with Jesus' warnings about false prophets? Jeremiah’s Picture of the Empty Prophet “ ‘The prophets are but wind, for the word is not in them; so let their predictions befall them.’ ” (Jeremiah 5:13) Wind-driven, weightless words No real revelation from God The judgment they proclaim circles back on their own heads—proof they never spoke for the Lord Jesus’ Direct Warning About False Prophets “ ‘Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.’ ” (Matthew 7:15) “ ‘Many false prophets will arise and mislead many.’ ” (Matthew 24:11) Outwardly harmless, inwardly destructive Numerous and influential, especially in the last days (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22) Their ultimate exposure and judgment are certain (Matthew 7:19; 15:13) Key Parallels Between Jeremiah 5:13 and Jesus’ Teaching • Source of Message – Jeremiah: “the word is not in them.” – Jesus: they “come” with a façade, not divine commission (John 10:1). • Substance of Message – Jeremiah’s wind: empty, volatile. – Jesus likens it to bad fruit from a rotten tree (Matthew 7:17-18). • Evidence for Discernment – Jeremiah urges measuring prophecy by its outcome (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). – Jesus says, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:20). • Divine Verdict – Jeremiah: “let their predictions befall them.” – Jesus: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 7:19). Shared Indicators of False Prophets - Self-generated visions and dreams (Jeremiah 23:16-17) - Messages that please the crowds (Luke 6:26) - Denial of impending judgment (Jeremiah 6:14; Matthew 24:48-51) - Lifestyle contradicting holiness (2 Peter 2:1-3) Consequences of Ignoring the Warning • Personal Deception—hearts led astray (Matthew 24:24) • Corporate Apostasy—whole nations or churches drift (Jeremiah 5:31; 2 Timothy 4:3-4) • Ultimate Destruction—false prophets and followers share the same fate (Revelation 19:20) Guardrails for Today - Anchor every teaching to the written Word (Acts 17:11) - Test the spirits (1 John 4:1) - Observe long-term fruit, not momentary charisma - Hold fast to “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3) Takeaway Jeremiah exposes prophets whose words are mere wind; Jesus echoes the warning, unmasking wolves in sheep’s clothing. Both call believers to discernment grounded in Scripture, evidenced by fruit, and mindful of God’s certain judgment on every empty, self-made message. |
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