What is the meaning of Jeremiah 23:21? I did not send these prophets “ ‘I did not send these prophets…’ ” (Jeremiah 23:21a) • God alone authorizes true messengers. From Moses to Paul, every genuine servant is first called by the Lord (Isaiah 6:8–9; Acts 13:2–4). • When the Lord says He did not send them, He exposes their lack of divine commission—an offense similar to the prophets who “prophesy lies in My name” (Jeremiah 14:14). • The warning reminds us that ministry begins with God’s initiative, not human ambition (John 20:21). yet they have run with their message “ ‘…yet they have run with their message…’ ” (Jeremiah 23:21b) • The false prophets showed zeal, “running” as eager couriers, but speed cannot substitute for authenticity. • Like the teachers who “tickle ears” in 2 Timothy 4:3–4, they spread comfortable predictions of peace (Jeremiah 23:17). • Zeal apart from truth misleads God’s people; Paul saw this in Israel’s “zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” (Romans 10:2). • Modern parallels arise whenever charisma outruns Scripture, prompting us to weigh every message against the written Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21). I did not speak to them “ ‘I did not speak to them…’ ” (Jeremiah 23:21c) • God’s voice is unmistakable when He truly speaks (Numbers 12:6; Hebrews 1:1–2). • These prophets lacked any divine revelation, yet presumed to fill the silence with their own imaginations (Ezekiel 13:6–7). • The phrase underscores the sufficiency of Scripture: what God has spoken stands; what He has not spoken must never be added (Deuteronomy 4:2; 2 Peter 1:21). • The church safeguards itself by remaining in what is written (2 Timothy 3:16–17) rather than chasing unfounded messages. yet they have prophesied “ ‘…yet they have prophesied.’ ” (Jeremiah 23:21d) • Even without God’s word, the false prophets boldly declared “Thus says the LORD,” mirroring Deuteronomy 18:20’s warning against speaking presumptuously. • Their prophecies soothed rather than convicted, leaving sin unchallenged (Lamentations 2:14). • Jesus later cautioned, “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15), and John urged believers to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). • The ultimate test remains faithfulness to Christ and His revealed truth (Revelation 19:10). summary Jeremiah 23:21 exposes a sobering pattern: people can claim God’s authority, rush into ministry, and speak confident words—yet lack any sending, speech, or sanction from the Lord. Authentic servants are called, empowered, and given a message that aligns with Scripture. The verse urges us to discern carefully, remain anchored in God’s written Word, and follow only those whose commission, content, and character unmistakably bear the mark of the One who truly sends. |
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