Jeremiah 14:14

"The prophets are prophesying lies in My name," replied the LORD. "I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Study Bible

The LORD said to me
This phrase establishes the divine authority and origin of the message. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. The phrase underscores the direct communication between God and Jeremiah, highlighting the prophet's role as a true messenger of God. This divine communication is foundational in understanding the authenticity and authority of Jeremiah's prophecies.

The prophets are prophesying lies
The Hebrew word for "lies" is "sheqer," which conveys falsehood and deception. This phrase indicates the serious nature of the false prophets' actions. In the historical context, these prophets were misleading the people of Judah, offering false hope and security. The use of "lies" emphasizes the moral and spiritual corruption that had infiltrated the religious leadership, contrasting sharply with the truth of God's word.

in My name
This phrase highlights the misuse of God's name, which is a grave sin according to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:7). The false prophets claimed divine authority for their messages, which was a direct violation of God's command. This misuse of God's name not only misled the people but also profaned the holiness and reverence due to God.

I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them
Here, God explicitly denies any involvement with the false prophets. The repetition of "I did not" emphasizes God's disassociation from their actions. In the Hebrew text, the verbs "send," "appoint," and "speak" are crucial, as they denote the legitimate process by which God commissions His true prophets. This statement serves as a clear denunciation of the false prophets' legitimacy and authority.

They are prophesying to you a false vision
The term "false vision" refers to the deceptive and misleading nature of the messages being delivered. In Hebrew, "vision" (chazon) often denotes a divine revelation. However, these visions were not from God but were fabrications. This phrase underscores the danger of relying on human imagination rather than divine revelation, a theme prevalent throughout the prophetic literature.

a worthless divination
The word "worthless" (hebel) in Hebrew conveys the idea of vanity and emptiness. "Divination" refers to practices that seek to predict the future through supernatural means, often condemned in the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). This phrase highlights the futility and spiritual bankruptcy of the false prophets' messages, which offered no true guidance or hope.

the deceit of their own minds
This phrase points to the origin of the false prophecies: the prophets' own thoughts and imaginations. The Hebrew word for "deceit" (tarmit) suggests treachery and betrayal. This indicates that the false prophets were not only self-deceived but were also betraying the trust of the people. It serves as a warning against relying on human wisdom and understanding apart from God's revealed truth.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. False Prophets
Individuals claiming to speak on behalf of God but delivering messages that are not from Him.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His displeasure with the false prophets.

5. Prophecy
The act of delivering messages believed to be from God, which in this context, are false and misleading.

Teaching Points

Discernment in Prophecy
Believers must exercise discernment and test the spirits to ensure that messages claiming to be from God align with Scripture.

Authority of God's Word
The Bible is the ultimate authority, and any prophecy or teaching must be measured against it.

Consequences of False Prophecy
False prophets lead people away from God, resulting in spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

Responsibility of Leaders
Spiritual leaders have a responsibility to speak truthfully and align their teachings with God's Word.

Personal Accountability
Each believer is accountable for seeking truth and not being led astray by false teachings.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we discern between true and false prophets in today's context, and what tools does Scripture provide for this discernment?

2. In what ways can false teachings infiltrate the church, and how can we guard against them?

3. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed questionable. How did you determine its validity?

4. How does understanding the role of prophecy in the Old Testament help us interpret prophetic messages today?

5. What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of God's Word is accurate and not influenced by false teachings?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Discusses the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing that a true prophet's words will come to pass.

Ezekiel 13:1-9
Condemns false prophets who lead people astray with their own imaginations.

Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing.

1 John 4:1
Encourages believers to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, as many false prophets have gone out into the world.