◄ Jeremiah 23:16 ►
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
Study Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says:

The Lord rules over the armies of heaven and earth, possessing absolute authority to judge His people and to fulfill every word He has spoken. Jeremiah’s message carried the weight of the King whom no human prophet could contradict.

1Sa 15:2 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed…
Hag 1:5 Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully…
Zec 1:3 So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says:…

“Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.

Judah was surrounded by religious voices claiming divine authority, yet many were leading the nation away from repentance. God commanded His people to reject messages that opposed the revelation He had given through His true servants.

Deu 13:3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer.…
Deu 18:20 But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name…
Ezk 13:2 Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel…

They are filling you with false hopes.

Promises of safety, peace, and deliverance encouraged the people to remain hardened in sin while Babylon’s judgment drew near. False assurance was spiritually destructive because it silenced the urgency of God’s call to turn from rebellion.

Jer 8:11 They dress the wound of the daughter of My people…
Mic 3:5 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets,…
Lam 2:14 The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive;…

They speak visions from their own minds,

These prophets invented revelations suited to popular desires and their own ambitions. Their words arose from human imagination rather than from fellowship with the Lord or submission to His truth.

Ezk 13:3 This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets…
Ezk 13:17 Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters…
Zec 10:2 For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions…

not from the mouth of the LORD.

True prophecy proceeds from God and agrees with His revealed character, covenant, and commands. The people of God must measure every spiritual claim by the Word He has given, refusing voices that offer comfort without repentance or peace apart from obedience.

Jer 14:14 “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,”…
1Ki 22:14 As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak…
2Pe 1:21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD of Hosts
This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and power over all heavenly and earthly armies. It underscores His sovereignty and the seriousness of His message.

2. False Prophets
Individuals claiming to speak on behalf of God but delivering messages that originate from their own imaginations rather than divine revelation.

3. Jeremiah
The prophet through whom God delivers this warning. He is known for his messages of judgment and calls for repentance to the people of Judah.

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

5. Visions from Their Own Minds
Refers to the false messages and prophecies that are not inspired by God but are concocted by the prophets themselves.
Teaching Points
Discernment in Listening
Believers must exercise discernment when listening to those who claim to speak for God. Not every message that sounds spiritual is from the Lord.

The Source of True Prophecy
True prophecy originates from God and aligns with His revealed Word. It is crucial to test all teachings against Scripture.

The Danger of False Hope
False prophets offer false hope, which can lead to spiritual complacency and eventual destruction. True hope is grounded in God's promises.

Accountability for Leaders
Spiritual leaders are accountable to God for the messages they deliver. They must ensure their teachings are biblically sound and Spirit-led.

The Role of Scripture
Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for recognizing truth and avoiding deception. It is the believer's ultimate authority.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we discern whether a message or teaching is truly from God or from someone's own imagination?

2. In what ways can false hope be dangerous to our spiritual lives and communities?

3. How does the warning against false prophets in Jeremiah 23:16 relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament?

4. What steps can we take to ensure that our spiritual leaders are accountable to biblical truth?

5. How can regular study of Scripture help us avoid being led astray by false teachings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
This passage provides criteria for discerning true prophets from false ones, emphasizing the importance of speaking only what God commands.

Ezekiel 13:1-9
Similar to Jeremiah 23:16, this passage condemns false prophets who lead people astray with their own inventions rather than God's truth.

Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, teaching that they can be recognized by their fruits, which aligns with the need for discernment highlighted in Jeremiah.
Sermons
Speaking the Vision of One's Own HeartD. Young Jeremiah 23:16
Trying the SpiritsA.F. Muir Jeremiah 23:16-18, 22
People
David, Israelites, Jeremiah
Places
Babylon, Egypt, Gomorrah, Jerusalem, Samaria, Sodom
Topics
FALSE, Ear, Fill, Filling, Futility, Hearken, Heart, Hopes, Hosts, Imagination, Lead, Leading, Listen, Making, Minds, Mouth, Prophesy, Prophesying, Prophets, Says, Speak, Teach, Teaching, Themselves, Thus, Vain, Value, Vanity, Vision, Visions
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 23:16

     1466   vision
     1469   visions
     1690   word of God
     5165   listening
     7774   prophets, false
     9611   hope, nature of

Jeremiah 23:13-17

     7734   leaders, spiritual

Jeremiah 23:15-17

     6169   godlessness

Jeremiah 23:16-17

     6186   evil scheming

Jeremiah 23:16-18

     5943   self-deception

Jeremiah 23:16-22

     8228   discernment, examples

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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