Here in chapter 23 Jeremiah prophesies against the false prophets of Jerusalem whom he holds responsible for the spiritual state of the nation. It goes to show how powerful words and ideas can be for better or, in this case, for worse. What you listen to and believe will inevitably shape the way you live. So, what was it that these false prophets were saying to the people? Jeremiah doesn’t tell us exactly, but he does tell us that they were instilling false hopes in the hearts of the people. They were telling them that everything was fine and that nothing bad would happen. If you aren’t in a good spiritual state, there is nothing optimistic about pretending everything is fine. And, even if everything is fine between you and God, there is no guarantee that you won’t encounter grief and hardship in life. It is best to expect these things as a normal part of life and be prepared for them rather than just pretending that they will never happen to you. According to Jesus’ ‘parable of the wise and foolish builders’ (Matthew 7:24-27), both ‘houses’ were beaten harshly by the storms of life. The difference between them was that one was prepared and the other was not. To be prepared is to have your life built in God and his agenda. If you are planted in God’s agenda, you are planted in something that is invulnerable. However, if your life rests on your own dreams and goals then your foundation is like sand that can be swept away at any time.
Reflect on what your life is founded upon.
Read Jeremiah 23:9-40
