Day 1"Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place". (Jer. 14:13)
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 14
Jeremiah prophesied to Judah and Jerusalem that God was going to bring judgment, because of the sins of the people (Jer. 13:9). However, false prophets were telling the people God would not judge his own; there was no need to worry or confess. In verse fourteen of chapter 14 we are told, "Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart."
The Jews were having false confidence because of the false preaching of the false prophets, and Jeremiah is heartbroken over it all.
We today also need to beware of every appearance of falsehoods, apostasy and outright lies being propagated from many so-called Christian organizations and churches. Jude tells us to"... earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude 3). He goes on in his short book warning us, who to watch out for. God reminds us to exercise judgement, just because someone claims to be a Christian, and possibly is well accepted by many others, we need to be as the Bereans who, when they heard Paul, they "searched the scriptures daily, whether those things be so" (Acts 17:11). Jesus tells us in Mt. 10:16, "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." In the culture of that day, serpents often symbolized wisdom. It is sad that many Christians are not using their head by following many false leaders?
A messenger claiming to have, or be speaking God's Word, better make sure he or she has been called of God. God told Jeremiah, I have not sent them, I have not called them, I have not commanded them, and what they are saying are lies. It all comes back to what the Bible says doesn't it? As Paul tells us in II Timothy 4:3, "... the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."
No matter what others say, teach or agree with, let’s make sure our life, service and worship is based on "... thus saith the Lord" (Ex. 7:17).