Jeremiah 23 and 24 | Warnings to Preachers

Jeremiah 23 and 24 Warnings to Preachers
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In today’s Daily Devotional time, consider reflecting on the sobering warnings found in Jeremiah 23 and 24. These chapters confront the responsibility of shepherds, pastors, and preachers to faithfully uphold the Word of God. They caution against the dangers of straying from the truth and delivering messages based on personal whims rather than divine guidance. Do determine if God will never leave or forsake you, read Jeremiah 21 and 22.

Stay True to Scripture

As you delve into the combined fifty verses of Jeremiah’s prophecy, take note of the recurring theme of fidelity to God’s Word. From the reflections penned in personal journals in 1991 to those in 2016 and beyond, the timeless relevance of these warnings becomes evident. They serve as a reminder for believers to discern whether their spiritual leaders are staying true to Scripture or veering off course.

Do Not Follow False Teachers

Ultimately, these chapters challenge us to seek out churches and leaders who prioritize the faithful exposition of God’s Word. In a world inundated with various teachings and ideologies, it’s essential to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of Scripture. Let your daily devotional time be an opportunity to evaluate the teaching you receive and to pray for discernment in recognizing genuine shepherds who lead according to God’s Word.

Jeremiah 23 and 24 Contain Warnings to Shepherds, Pastors, and Preachers

Does your pastor preach the Word of God? Please read or listen to the combined fifty verses of Jeremiah 23 and 24.

Jeremiah 23 and 24 Commentary by Allen J. Huth

In 1991, I read Jeremiah 23 and 24 together and wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “It is dangerous to be a pastor, a shepherd of God’s flock. There is no room for fake preaching or leading people astray or dreaming without the basis of the Word of God. Without God’s Word, man perverts truth.”

Continuing that same theme, jumping to 2016, I read Jeremiah 23 and 24 on the same day and wrote, “I doubt if many preachers use chapter 23 as their text. God lights up shepherds, priests, prophets who are not true to His Word. So much of preaching today is like visions of their own minds; not from the mouth of the Lord.”

Preach the Word of God

Then I quoted, “‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you’ (23:17). Feel-good sermons, prosperity gospel, stories, but not preaching and teaching God’s Word.” Then I quoted Jeremiah 23:18, “Who is getting his message from the Lord? ‘Who has paid attention to his word and listened?’ God prefers not dreams of men, but preaching My Word faithfully, according to verse 28. God raise up preachers who will preach Your Word.”

God Warns Shepherds, Priests and Pastors

God’s warnings are very clear in these chapters to the shepherds, the priests, the pastors who lead our flocks today. “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture” (23:1).

Jeremiah 23:16-18 and 29 say:

Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. They say continually to those who despise the word of the Lord, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”

For who among them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see and to hear his word,
    or who has paid attention to his word and listened?

Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

 The application from today’s message may be, go to a Bible teaching, Bible preaching church.

Prayer for Pastors

Father, we pray Your blessings upon the pastors and the priests that teach Your Word faithfully. We need to be under the teaching of Your Word. Raise up shepherds who will be faithful to Your Word. We ask it, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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