RECOGNIZING THE TRUE JEREMIAHS

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Jeremiah 29:11

  If there is any one verse in the Old Testament  I’ve seen often quoted it is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Understandable since it is a great comforting promise of God.  However, before God gave the above comforting words to Jeremiah, He gave a warning which I think we need to hear and learn.

Jer. 29:8-9 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the LORD.”

  What did these false prophets proclaim? Peace & deliverance (Chapters 14: 13-14, 28: 1-5).

  What did Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Israel? God’s judgment of their disobedience, of them forsaking God & worshiping other gods. Jeremiah prophesied destruction of Jerusalem, famine, war, pestilence, and God sending them to exile in Babylon. Jeremiah, likewise, called the people to repentance. The false prophets talked none of that.

   What can we learn from this? That we must be discerning. False prophets of old are in our midst likewise. We must be discerning. Be careful listening to preachers preaching prosperity; how to be happy, how to live your best life now, those whose prayers focus so much of receiving material blessings. But rather listen to those preachers who call us to repentance, who would rebuke us of our sins, who preach the true gospel, of God’s love & judgment

Lordina Welch