For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD." For they are falsely prophesyingThe phrase "falsely prophesying" comes from the Hebrew word "sheqer," which means deception or falsehood. In the context of Jeremiah, this refers to the false prophets who were misleading the people of Judah. These individuals claimed to speak on behalf of God but were delivering messages that contradicted God's true word. Historically, false prophets were a significant problem in ancient Israel, often leading the people astray with promises of peace and prosperity when God had decreed judgment. This serves as a warning to discern truth from falsehood, emphasizing the importance of aligning with God's revealed word. to you in My name
The use of "My name" signifies the authority and character of God. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a name was more than just an identifier; it represented the essence and authority of the person. When false prophets claimed to speak "in My name," they were misusing God's authority to lend credibility to their deceitful messages. This highlights the seriousness of taking God's name in vain and the responsibility of those who claim to speak for Him. It is a call for believers to be vigilant and discerning, ensuring that teachings and prophecies align with the character and revealed will of God. I have not sent them
This phrase underscores God's disapproval and disassociation from the false prophets. The Hebrew word "shalach" means to send or commission. In the biblical context, true prophets were sent by God, carrying His message with His authority. By stating "I have not sent them," God clarifies that these prophets do not have His endorsement or authority. This serves as a reminder that not everyone who claims to speak for God is truly sent by Him. It encourages believers to seek confirmation of God's true messengers through their alignment with Scripture and the fruit of their ministry. declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula in the Old Testament, emphasizing the authority and finality of God's word. The Hebrew word "ne'um" is often used to introduce a divine oracle, underscoring that the message comes directly from God. This declaration serves as a seal of authenticity, reminding the audience that despite the presence of false prophets, God's true word remains authoritative and unchanging. It is an assurance to believers that God's promises and judgments are reliable, encouraging them to trust in His sovereign plan and discern His voice amidst the noise of falsehood. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is the author of the book of Jeremiah. 2. False ProphetsIndividuals who claimed to speak on behalf of God but delivered messages that were not from Him. They misled the people of Judah with false assurances. 3. Babylonian ExileThe period during which the people of Judah were taken captive by Babylon. This context is crucial for understanding the warnings and promises in Jeremiah 29. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing judgment and exile due to its disobedience to God. 5. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and authority over His people and the nations. Teaching Points Discernment in ProphecyBelievers must exercise discernment when evaluating messages claimed to be from God. Not all who speak in His name are sent by Him. The Authority of God's WordGod's Word is the ultimate authority. Any message that contradicts Scripture should be rejected, as God does not contradict Himself. The Danger of False AssuranceFalse prophets often offer comfort and assurance that contradicts God's true message. Believers should be wary of teachings that promise peace without repentance. God's Sovereignty in Judgment and RestorationEven in judgment, God has a plan for restoration. Understanding His sovereignty helps believers trust His purposes, even in difficult times. The Importance of True ProphetsTrue prophets, like Jeremiah, often deliver difficult messages. Their faithfulness to God's Word is a model for believers to follow. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we discern between true and false prophets in today's context, and what role does Scripture play in this process? 2. In what ways might false assurances be present in modern Christian teachings, and how can we guard against them? 3. How does understanding the historical context of the Babylonian Exile enhance our interpretation of Jeremiah 29:9? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are aligning our lives with God's true message rather than being swayed by false teachings? 5. How do the warnings against false prophets in Jeremiah 29:9 relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament, and what implications does this have for our faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 18:20-22This passage outlines the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing the importance of discerning God's true messengers. Matthew 7:15-20Jesus warns about false prophets, teaching that they can be recognized by their fruits, which connects to the need for discernment in Jeremiah 29:9. 1 John 4:1Encourages believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, reinforcing the message in Jeremiah about discerning false prophecy. People Ahab, Anathoth, David, Elasah, Eleasah, Gemariah, Hilkiah, Jeconiah, Jehoiada, Jeremiah, Kolaiah, Maaseiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, Shaphan, Shemaiah, Zedekiah, ZephaniahPlaces Anathoth, Babylon, Jerusalem, NehelamTopics FALSE, Declares, Falsehood, Falsely, Lie, Lies, Prophesy, Prophesying, Saying, SaysDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 29:4-14 4215 Babylon Jeremiah 29:8-9 1409 dream
7774 prophets, false Library Finding God
Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.' (Jeremiah xxix. 13.) The words of Jeremiah in their relation to God are very appropriate for men and women in whose hearts there is any longing after personal Holiness. Look at them: 'Ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart'. I like this word, because it turns our minds to the true and only source of light and life and power. We speak of seeking and getting the blessing; but, …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and ServiceThe Secret of Effectual Prayer
"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye have received them, and ye shall have them."--MARK xi. 24. Here we have a summary of the teaching of our Lord Jesus on prayer. Nothing will so much help to convince us of the sin of our remissness in prayer, to discover its causes, and to give us courage to expect entire deliverance, as the careful study and then the believing acceptance of that teaching. The more heartily we enter into the mind of our blessed Lord, and set ourselves simply …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Spirit of Prayer.
Text.--Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the will of God.--Romans viii. 26, 27. My last lecture but one was on the subject of Effectual Prayer; in which I observed that one of the most important attributes of effectual …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion The Costliness of Prayer
"Lord, teach us to pray."--Luke xi. 1. "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart."--Jer. xxix. 13. IN his fine book on Benefits, Seneca says that nothing is so costly to us as that is which we purchase by prayer. When we come on that hard-to-be-understood saying of his for the first time, we set it down as another of the well-known paradoxes of the Stoics. For He who is far more to us than all the Stoics taken together has said to us on the subject of prayer,--"Ask, …
Alexander Whyte—Lord Teach Us To Pray Putting God to Work
"For from of old men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen a God beside thee who worketh for him that waiteth for him."--Isaiah 64:4. The assertion voiced in the title given this chapter is but another way of declaring that God has of His own motion placed Himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated Himself to answer the prayers of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby He will do things through men as they pray, which He would not otherwise do. Prayer …
Edward M. Bounds—The Weapon of Prayer The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 The Seventh Commandment
Thou shalt not commit adultery.' Exod 20: 14. God is a pure, holy spirit, and has an infinite antipathy against all uncleanness. In this commandment he has entered his caution against it; non moechaberis, Thou shalt not commit adultery.' The sum of this commandment is, The preservations of corporal purity. We must take heed of running on the rock of uncleanness, and so making shipwreck of our chastity. In this commandment there is something tacitly implied, and something expressly forbidden. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
OR, A DISCOURSE TOUCHING PRAYER; WHEREIN IS BRIEFLY DISCOVERED, 1. WHAT PRAYER IS. 2. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT. 3. WHAT IT IS TO PRAY WITH THE SPIRIT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING ALSO. WRITTEN IN PRISON, 1662. PUBLISHED, 1663. "For we know not what we should pray for as we ought:--the Spirit--helpeth our infirmities" (Rom 8:26). ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. There is no subject of more solemn importance to human happiness than prayer. It is the only medium of intercourse with heaven. "It is …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 29:9 NIVJeremiah 29:9 NLTJeremiah 29:9 ESVJeremiah 29:9 NASBJeremiah 29:9 KJV
Jeremiah 29:9 Commentaries
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