False Prophets versus True Prophets

by Tommy Peeler

Jeremiah 23:9-40 warns against false prophets. Jeremiah 23:16-22 makes some interesting contrasts between true and false prophets. This brief post focuses on these verses.

The false prophets are destructive to themselves and the land. Their message came from “their own imagination” and was “not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). Though God did not send them, they ran with their message. While God did not speak to them, they still prophesied (Jeremiah 16:21). The message they spoke was futility (Jeremiah 16:16). The word translated "futility" is the word for vanity in Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8, etc. These prophets preached an empty word. Later we read that their message did not furnish the slightest benefit to the people (Jeremiah 16:32). They told people who despised the LORD and walked according to their own stubborn heart, "You will have peace and not face calamity" (Jeremiah 16:17). These false prophets were destructive to the land.

In contrast, true prophets blessed the land. Jeremiah 16:18, 22 speak of them as standing in the LORD’s council. In Jeremiah 16:18, prophets see, hear, give heed, and listen to the LORD’s words. In Jeremiah 16:22, they then announce God’s words. We must first listen to God before we can ever speak for Him. The message of those who speak for God can turn people from their evil way (Jeremiah 16:22). Later in the chapter, the power of God’s word is described (Jeremiah 16:29), and that powerful word can change the lives of those who hear it.

Malachi 2 focuses on priests who could turn many from iniquity when they gave true instruction (Malachi 2:6). When we speak His message, we give people an opportunity to change their lives and prepare for the coming judgment (Jeremiah 16:19-20). True spokesmen for God bless a people.