Jeremiah 23:12
"Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment," declares the LORD.
Therefore their path
The word "therefore" connects this verse to the preceding context, where God condemns the false prophets and priests for leading His people astray. The "path" symbolizes the way of life or conduct. In Hebrew, the word for path is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which often signifies a journey or a manner of living. This imagery suggests that the false leaders' chosen way of life is inherently unstable and dangerous, leading to inevitable ruin.

will become slippery
The Hebrew word for "slippery" is "חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת" (chalaklaqot), which conveys the idea of smoothness or slipperiness, often used metaphorically to describe deceitful or treacherous behavior. This imagery implies that the false prophets' actions have made their path treacherous, leading to their downfall. It serves as a warning that those who deviate from God's truth will find themselves on unstable ground.

they will be driven away
The phrase "driven away" suggests a forceful removal or expulsion. In the Hebrew context, this can be understood as being scattered or exiled, a common theme in the prophetic literature where disobedience leads to dispersion. This reflects the consequence of their actions, as God allows them to face the repercussions of their deceit.

into the darkness
Darkness in the Bible often symbolizes chaos, judgment, or the absence of God's presence. The Hebrew word "חֹשֶׁךְ" (choshekh) is used here, which can denote both physical and spiritual darkness. This indicates that the false prophets will be cast into a state of confusion and despair, separated from the light of God's truth and guidance.

and fall therein
The concept of falling is frequently used in Scripture to describe defeat or failure. The Hebrew root "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall or be cast down. This fall is not just physical but also moral and spiritual, signifying the ultimate collapse of those who oppose God's will.

For I will bring disaster upon them
The word "disaster" is translated from the Hebrew "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which means calamity or evil. This is a direct action from God, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice. The disaster is a divine response to the false prophets' actions, underscoring the seriousness of leading others away from God's truth.

in the year of their punishment
The term "punishment" comes from the Hebrew "פְּקֻדָּה" (pequddah), which can mean visitation or reckoning. This indicates a specific time when God will hold the false prophets accountable for their actions. It serves as a reminder that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain and will be executed at the appointed time.

declares the LORD
This phrase is a common prophetic formula, affirming the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew "נְאֻם יְהוָה" (ne'um YHWH) underscores that these are not merely Jeremiah's words but the very words of God. It reassures the faithful that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and will uphold His righteousness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah.

2. False Prophets
The primary subjects of this passage, these individuals misled the people of Judah with false assurances of peace and security.

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

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is pronouncing judgment on the false prophets and the people who follow them.

5. The Year of Punishment
A specific time appointed by God for executing judgment on those who have turned away from His ways.
Teaching Points
The Danger of False Prophets
False prophets lead people away from God's truth, resulting in spiritual and often physical disaster.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God leads to a "slippery path," symbolizing instability and inevitable downfall.

God's Sovereign Judgment
God is just and will bring about judgment in His appointed time, emphasizing the importance of living in obedience to Him.

Walking in the Light
Believers are called to walk in the light of God's truth, avoiding the darkness that comes from following false teachings.

Discernment and Vigilance
Christians must be vigilant and discerning, testing teachings against Scripture to avoid being led astray.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of a "slippery path" in Jeremiah 23:12 help us understand the consequences of following false teachings?

2. In what ways can we identify and guard against false prophets in today's world, as warned in both Jeremiah and the New Testament?

3. How does the concept of "the year of their punishment" reflect God's justice and patience? How should this influence our understanding of His character?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are walking in the light of God's truth rather than being led into darkness?

5. How do the warnings in Jeremiah 23:12 challenge us to examine our own lives and the teachings we follow? How can we apply this to our daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 35:6
This verse also speaks of a "slippery path," symbolizing the instability and danger faced by those who oppose God's ways.

Proverbs 4:19
Describes the way of the wicked as darkness, which aligns with the imagery of being driven into darkness in Jeremiah 23:12.

Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, emphasizing the need to discern them by their fruits, which connects to the theme of false prophets in Jeremiah.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Peter warns of false teachers who will bring destructive heresies, similar to the false prophets in Jeremiah's time.

Isaiah 8:22
Speaks of people looking to the earth and seeing only distress and darkness, a parallel to the judgment described in Jeremiah 23:12.
Divine PersistenceH. S. Holland, D. D.
People
David, Israelites, Jeremiah
Places
Babylon, Egypt, Gomorrah, Jerusalem, Samaria, Sodom
Topics
Affirmation, Banished, Bring, Calamity, Cause, Dark, Darkness, Declares, Disaster, Driven, Evil, Fall, Fallen, Forced, Gloom, Inspection, Paths, Places, Punished, Punishment, Says, Slippery, Slipping, Steps, Therein, Thick, Thrust, Visitation, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 23:12

     4978   year

Jeremiah 23:10-15

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Jeremiah 23:11-12

     4812   darkness, God's judgment
     8846   ungodliness

Library
Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
Having introduced the doctrine of imputed righteousness, I proofed to map out my subject. First, by way of affirmation; we say of the text--it is so--Christ is the Lord or righteousness; secondly, I shall exhort you to do him homage; let us call him so: for this is the name whereby he shall be called; and thirdly, I shall appeal to your gratitude; let us wonder at the reigning grace, which has caused us to fulfill the promise, for have been sweetly compelled to call him the Lord our righteousness.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861

Justification
'Being justified freely by his grace.' Rom 3:34. Q-xxxiii: WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION? A: It is an act of God's free grace, whereby he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, and received by faith alone. Justification is the very hinge and pillar of Christianity. An error about justification is dangerous, like a defect in a foundation. Justification by Christ is a spring of the water of life. To have the poison of corrupt doctrine
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
'And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the Angel. 4. And He answered and spake unto those that stood before Him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Conversion --Varied Phenomena or Experience.
We have spoken of the meaning of this term, inquired into the nature of the change, and noted its essential elements. We have also learned that there are some who do not need it because they are in a converted state, and that all who are not in such a state of Grace, do need conversion, regardless of anything that may or may not have taken place in the past. We inquire now as to the agencies or means by which this change is brought about. For it is a change which man can certainly not effect by his
G. H. Gerberding—The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church

The Trinity
Q-6. HOW MANY PERSONS ARE THERE IN THE GODHEAD? A: Three persons, yet but one God. 'There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one.' I John 5:5. God is but one, yet are there three distinct persons subsisting in one Godhead. This is a sacred mystery, which the light within man could never have discovered. As the two natures in Christ, yet but one person, is a wonder; so three persons, yet but one Godhead. Here is a great deep, the Father
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

A vision of the King.
ONE of the most blessed occupations for the believer is the prayerful searching of God's holy Word to discover there new glories and fresh beauties of Him, who is altogether lovely. Shall we ever find out all which the written Word reveals of Himself and His worthiness? This wonderful theme can never be exhausted. The heart which is devoted to Him and longs through the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit to be closer to the Lord, to hear and know more of Himself, will always find something
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end.
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Concerning Justification.
Concerning Justification. As many as resist not this light, but receive the same, it becomes in them an holy, pure, and spiritual birth, bringing forth holiness, righteousness, purity, and all those other blessed fruits which are acceptable to God: by which holy birth, to wit, Jesus Christ formed within us, and working his works in us, as we are sanctified, so are we justified in the sight of God, according to the apostle's words; But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Lord's Prayer.
(Jerusalem. Thursday Night.) ^D John XVII. ^d 1 These things spake Jesus; and lifting up his eyes to heaven [the action marked the turning of his thoughts from the disciples to the Father], he said, Father, the hour is come [see pp. 116, 440]; glorify thy Son, that the son may glorify thee: 2 even as thou gavest him authority over all flesh, that to all whom thou hast given him, he should give eternal life. [The Son here prays for his glorification, viz.: resurrection, ascension, coronation, etc.,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Jehovah. The "I Am. "
WHEN Moses in the desert beheld the burning bush God answered his question by the revelation of His name as the "I Am." "And God said unto Moses, I am, that I am: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you" (Exod. iii:14). He who spake thus out of the bush to Moses was the same who in the fullness of time appeared upon the earth in the form of man. Our Lord Jesus Christ is no less person, than the I AM. If we turn to the fourth Gospel in which the Holy
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Repentance
Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.' Acts 11: 18. Repentance seems to be a bitter pill to take, but it is to purge out the bad humour of sin. By some Antinomian spirits it is cried down as a legal doctrine; but Christ himself preached it. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent,' &c. Matt 4: 17. In his last farewell, when he was ascending to heaven, he commanded that Repentance should be preached in his name.' Luke 24: 47. Repentance is a pure gospel grace.
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Its Instrument
"Being justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24); "being now justified by His blood" (Rom. 5:9); "being now justified by faith" (Rom. 5:1). A full exposition of the doctrine of justification requires that each of these propositions should be interpreted in their Scriptural sense, and that they be combined together in their true relations as to form one harmonious whole. Unless these three propositions be carefully distinguished there is sure to be confusion; unless all the three are steadily borne
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What,"
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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