Jeremiah 23:33-40
Misusing God’s word for deception provokes divine rejection and judgment.
33 “When this people, or the prophet, or a priest, asks you, saying, ‘What is the message from Yahweh?’ Then you shall tell them, ‘ “What message? I will cast you off,” says Yahweh.’
34 As for the prophet, the priest, and the people, who say, ‘The message from Yahweh,’ I will even punish that man and his household.
35 You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh said?’
36 You will mention the message from Yahweh no more: for every man’s own word has become his message; for you have perverted the words of the living God, of Yahweh of Armies, our God.
37 You will say to the prophet, ‘What has Yahweh answered you?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh spoken?’
38 Although you say, ‘The message from Yahweh;’ therefore Yahweh says: ‘Because you say this word, “The message from Yahweh,” and I have sent to you, telling you not to say, “The message from Yahweh;”
39 therefore, behold, I will utterly forget you, and I will cast you off, and the city that I gave to you and to your fathers, away from my presence.
40 I will bring an everlasting reproach on you, and a perpetual shame, which will not be forgotten.’ ”
Misusing God’s word for deception provokes divine rejection and judgment.
To correct the misuse of the phrase 'oracle of the LORD' by false prophets and to declare judgment upon those who manipulate God’s word for deceptive purposes.
Jeremiah 23:33–40 concludes the extended section addressing false prophets in chapter 23. The focus shifts to the misuse of prophetic terminology. The phrase 'burden of the LORD,' which originally referred to a weighty prophetic message, had become a sarcastic expression used to mock genuine prophecy.
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.