|
"Prophets That Did Not Stand in the Counsel of God"
Jeremiah 23:9-40
Wednesday AM Bible Study
February 2, 2005
God has warned in many places in the Scripture that false prophets would
arise (Deut. 13:1-5; Acts 20:28-30; Matt. 24:11-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-3). They
would be well-received because they will tell people what they want to hear
rather than what God has said (2 Tim. 4:3-4). But God has given us a
standard by which to measure them, and that is their fruit (Matt. 7:15-20).k
In this portion of Jeremiah's prophecy, he speaks God's word to the people
regarding the false prophets that they were listening to, and the immorality
that they produced as their 'fruits'. They stood condemned because they
presumed to speak, but did not stand in the counsel of God (Jer. 23:22).
This passage gives us a warning to examine carefully those who propose to
speak in the name of the Lord - and ourselves in terms of the way we listen.
I. THE DESPERATE SITUATION CAUSED BY THE FALSE PROPHETS (vv. 9-15).
II. THE WARNING ISSUED BECAUSE OF THE FALSE PROPHETS (vv. 16-29).
III. GOD'S EVALUATION OF THE FALSE PROPHETS (vv. 30-40).
* * * * * * * * * *
Lessons to be learned:
(1) If you speak for God, make sure that you speak only what He has said (2
Tim. 4:1-2).
(2) If you hear someone who presumes to speak for God, examine carefully
not only the words (Acts 17:11) but also the speaker.
Printable
Version
|
