Jeremiah 23:23-32
God’s omniscient presence and authoritative word expose and judge all false prophetic claims.
23 “Am I a God at hand,” says Yahweh, “and not a God afar off?
24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says Yahweh. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says Yahweh.
25 “I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
26 How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?
27 They intend to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they each tell his neighbor, as their fathers forgot my name because of Baal.
28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says Yahweh.
29 “Isn’t my word like fire?” says Yahweh; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
30 “Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,” says Yahweh, “who each steal my words from his neighbor.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets,” says Yahweh, “who use their tongues, and say, ‘He says.’
32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams,” says Yahweh, “who tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting; yet I didn’t send them or command them. They don’t profit this people at all,” says Yahweh.
God’s omniscient presence and authoritative word expose and judge all false prophetic claims.
To expose the deception of false prophets by affirming the LORD’s omniscience, authority over revelation, and judgment against those who fabricate prophetic messages.
Jeremiah 23:23–32 continues the extended condemnation of false prophets begun earlier in the chapter. The focus shifts from the deceptive content of their messages to the fundamental error underlying their ministry: they presume that God is distant and that his authority can be manipulated.
False Shepherds, the Righteous Branch, and the Fire of the LORD's Word
When kings and prophets fail the flock, the LORD promises the righteous Branch and exposes every false word by the fire of his own true word.