Yahweh
of Armies says, Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh.
Jeremiah 23:16
I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one returns from his wickedness: they have all become to me as Sodom, and its inhabitants as Gomorrah.
Jeremiah 23 [15.] Therefore Yahweh of Armies says concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land. Yahweh of Armies says, Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh. They say continually to those who despise me, Yahweh has said, You shall have peace; and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come on you. For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? who has marked my word, and heard it? Behold, Yahweh’s storm, his wrath, has gone out. Yes, a whirling storm. It shall burst on the head of the wicked.
Meaning:
This verse is a stern warning from God against false prophets, those who claim to speak on His behalf but are actually sharing their own thoughts, desires, or ideas. God, through the prophet Jeremiah, is cautioning His people not to be misled by these deceptive voices. At its heart, this passage highlights the dangers of following teachings that do not originate from God, and it reminds us to discern carefully between God’s true Word and the words of those who merely claim to represent Him.
Jeremiah 23 is a chapter filled with God’s warnings against the leaders of Israel, especially the false prophets and corrupt priests who were leading His people astray. At this time, the people of Judah were facing imminent judgment due to their continued rebellion against God. Instead of calling the people to repentance, many prophets were proclaiming peace and prosperity, saying that no harm would come to them, despite their sinful ways. These prophets were giving people a false sense of security, directly contradicting the messages of true prophets like Jeremiah, who warned of the coming destruction if the people did not turn back to God.
In verse 16, God explicitly tells His people not to listen to these false prophets. “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.” This is a strong and clear directive from God, showing His concern for His people. God desires that His people follow the truth, not be deceived by lies or wishful thinking. The false prophets were offering a message that was easier to accept—a message that didn’t demand change or repentance. But this message, as God reveals, was empty and dangerous.
- The Dangers of False Teaching
One of the most striking aspects of this verse is the phrase, “They teach you vanity.” The word "vanity" here refers to emptiness, worthlessness, or something that has no substance. The false prophets were filling the people’s minds with false hopes and shallow promises. They weren’t offering anything of real value or truth; instead, they were leading the people further into delusion. The result was not just spiritual stagnation, but active harm, because the people were being lulled into complacency while judgment was looming.
This danger of false teaching is echoed throughout Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus warns about false prophets in Matthew 7:15, saying, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.” False prophets don’t always appear harmful; they often seem well-meaning or even pious. They might speak in a way that appeals to our desires or fears, which makes them even more dangerous. Their teachings can seem comforting, but they divert us from the truth that leads to genuine spiritual growth and obedience to God.
In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns that "the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside to fables." This reflects exactly what was happening in Jeremiah’s time. The people didn’t want to hear the hard truths about their need for repentance, so they embraced the false messages that aligned more with their own desires. But these messages were mere “fables” or lies that did not come from God.
- Speaking From the Heart, Not From God
The false prophets in Jeremiah’s day spoke “a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh.” This is a significant distinction. The prophets were supposed to be God’s messengers, delivering His words, not their own. But these false prophets were sharing their own ideas and visions, claiming divine authority for something that came from their own imagination or desires.
This is a reminder that true prophecy—and by extension, true teaching—must come from God, not from human hearts or minds. As humans, our thoughts and feelings can be easily influenced by selfish desires, fear, or ignorance. We are not naturally inclined to speak God’s truth, especially when that truth is hard or uncomfortable. Jeremiah, for example, consistently delivered difficult messages of judgment and repentance, because that is what God commanded him to do. The false prophets, on the other hand, told the people what they wanted to hear, even though it was false.
This problem persists in our own time. Many people still preach or teach things that are born out of human desire rather than divine truth. We might hear messages that promise prosperity, success, or comfort, but these messages may not always align with God’s Word. It’s important to ask: is this teaching coming from the mouth of God, or is it simply a vision of someone’s heart?
- The Importance of Discernment
Jeremiah 23:16 calls us to be discerning in what we listen to and believe. The fact that God directly tells His people not to listen to these false prophets shows how critical it is to have discernment when it comes to spiritual teaching. In the modern world, we have access to countless voices offering advice, guidance, and "truth." Whether it's through social media, books, or even well-meaning leaders, there are many who claim to speak for God but may not be delivering His message.
Discernment requires a deep familiarity with God’s Word and an openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In 1 John 4:1, we are told, "Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This is exactly what Jeremiah’s message encourages us to do: to test the messages we receive and ensure they are truly from God, not just from human hearts.
We also need the humility to accept messages from God that may not align with our desires. The false prophets were offering a message of peace and safety because that’s what the people wanted to hear. But God’s message, while harder to accept, was rooted in truth and love. He was calling His people to repentance so they could avoid destruction. In the same way, we must be willing to accept God’s truth, even when it challenges us or calls us to change.
Conclusion: Jeremiah 23:16 serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of false teaching and the importance of discernment. The false prophets of Jeremiah’s time were leading people astray by speaking messages from their own hearts, not from God. Their words were empty and vain, offering false hope while judgment was at the door.
As followers of God, we are called to seek the truth that comes from Him alone. This requires discernment, testing what we hear, and being willing to accept the hard truths that God sometimes speaks to us. Let us not be swayed by messages that simply comfort or flatter us but instead seek the Word that comes from the mouth of God, which leads to life and transformation.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible