What is the meaning of Jeremiah 23:16? This is what the LORD of Hosts says “This is what the LORD of Hosts says” (Jeremiah 23:16a) opens with the thunder of absolute authority. • “LORD of Hosts” points to the Commander of angelic armies (Psalm 46:7, Isaiah 6:3). • When He speaks, His word is final—“Is not My word like fire?” (Jeremiah 23:29). • Knowing the Source anchors our confidence: “The word of the LORD stands forever” (1 Peter 1:25). Because Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), every syllable here is trustworthy, demanding humble attention and obedience. Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you God immediately issues a protective command: “Do not listen” (Jeremiah 23:16b). • Discernment is mandated (1 John 4:1, Deuteronomy 13:1-3). • Jesus echoes it: “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15). • Refusing corrupted counsel guards hearts from ruin (Psalm 1:1). The Lord is not promoting cynicism but vigilance, drawing a clear line between truth that gives life and lies that destroy. They are filling you with false hopes The counterfeit prophets “are filling you with false hopes” (Jeremiah 23:16c). • Like whitewash on a crumbling wall (Ezekiel 13:10-16), their words soothe but cannot save. • Paul warned of a day when people “will accumulate teachers to suit their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). • Real hope rests on God’s promises (Romans 15:13), not wishful thinking. Empty optimism anesthetizes repentance; true hope convicts and converts. They speak visions from their own minds The next charge exposes the source: “visions from their own minds” (Jeremiah 23:16d). • God had already said, “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name… visions of their own minds” (Jeremiah 14:14). • Colossians 2:18 warns of those “inflated without cause by their fleshly mind.” • Trusting self-generated ideas over divine revelation is spiritual pride (Proverbs 3:5). Authentic ministry repeats what God has revealed; invention equals rebellion. Not from the mouth of the LORD Finally, the verse contrasts human imagination with divine speech: “not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16e). • True prophecy comes when “the LORD makes Himself known” (Numbers 12:6). • “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). • Paul testified, “The gospel I preached is not from man…but by revelation from Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:11-12). Any message lacking God’s stamp must be rejected, no matter how persuasive. summary Jeremiah 23:16 draws a bright red line: God’s authoritative word versus self-made messages. The Lord commands His people to tune out prophets who speak from their own imagination, because such words breed false hope and lure hearts away from repentance and truth. Real security is found only in what proceeds “from the mouth of the LORD,” the unchanging, life-giving revelation of Scripture. |
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