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Jeremiah 23:28
Verse
Context
Lying Prophets
27They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
Sermons
David Wilkerson
Aaron Ernst
T. Austin-SparksBrian Gochenour
A.W. Pink
George FoxSummary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
God answers the objection which might be stated, "What, then, must we do, when lies are spoken as truths, and prophets oppose prophets?" Do the same as when wheat is mixed with chaff: do not reject the wheat because of the chaff mixed with it, but discriminate between the false and the true revelations. The test is adherence to, or forgetfulness of, Me and My law (Jer 23:27). that hath a dream--that pretends to have a divine communication by dream, let him tell it "faithfully," that it may be compared with "my word" (Co2 4:2). The result will be the former (both the prophets and their fictions) will soon be seen to be chaff; the latter (the true prophets and the word of God in their mouth) wheat (Psa 1:4; Hos 13:3).
John Gill Bible Commentary
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream,.... These words are directed not to a true prophet of the Lord, that has a dream from him, or something communicated to him in a dream by the Lord, which he is to deliver as such; but to a false prophet, that says he has dreamed; and if he has dreamed a dream, let him tell it as a "dream" (l); so some supply it, as the fruit of his own roving fancy and imagination in sleep; and not call it a revelation from the Lord, and impose it upon the people as such. The Septuagint version is, "let him tell his dream"; let him tell it as his own, and not as a dream from the Lord; and he that hath my word; the word of prophecy by revelation, and under the influence of the Spirit of God, as the true prophets: "my word"; not the word of men, or the word spoken by angels, or the Scriptures in general; but the word of the Gospel, the word of peace and reconciliation, of righteousness, life, and salvation; the evangelical part of the word, though not to the exclusion of all the rest, but this chiefly: "he that hath it"; or "with whom", or "in whom it is" (m); who has it not only in his hands to read, nor merely in his head, so as to have speculative notions of it; but has it in his heart, where it is come with power, and is become the ingrafted word; and who has a large share of spiritual and experimental knowledge of it, and an ability and capacity to express it to the edification of others; let him speak my word faithfully; or "truly" (n); as it is. Ministers of the word are stewards, and it is required of such that they be faithful, and a more honourable character they cannot well have; and then may the word of the Lord be said to be spoken faithfully, when nothing else is spoken but that; when there is no mixture of man's with it; and when the whole of it is spoken, and nothing kept back or concealed; when a man's views in it are sincere and upright, and he aims only at the glory of God; and the good of immortal souls; when it is spoken out, openly and boldly, not as pleasing men, but God, and as in his sight, to whom the account must be given: or, "let him speak my word, truth" (o); which is truth; or, for it is truth, as Kimchi; so this is a reason why it should be spoken freely, fully, publicly, and boldly, because it is truth, and nothing but truth: or, "let him speak my word as truth"; or as it is (p); it comes from the God of truth; if lies in the Scriptures of truth; the subject matter of it is truth, Christ, who is truth itself, and those doctrines, relative to his person, office, and grace, and salvation by him; and it is the Spirit of truth that directs into it, owns it, and makes it useful; what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord; there is no comparison between the one and the other; the one is greatly preferable to the other; there is as much difference between the dreams and lies of the false prophets and the word of God, as there is between chaff and wheat. False doctrine is as "chaff", light; when put into the balance of the sanctuary it is found wanting; it is of no value; it is as wood, hay, and stubble, in comparison of gold, silver, and precious stones; it is not fit for food, and has no nourishment in it, but the contrary, and its end is to be burned. Some doctrine is as "wheat", choice and excellent, pure, solid, substantial, and of a nourishing and strengthening nature. And what is the one to the other? or what have they to do with one another? they should not be mixed together, but separated. So the Syriac version, "why do ye mix the chaff with the wheat?" see Co2 2:17. The Targum interprets this of persons, paraphrasing the words thus, "behold, as one separates between the chaff and the wheat, so I separate between the righteous and the wicked, saith the Lord.'' Wicked men are as "chaff"; such were the false prophets, and all ungodly men, for their emptiness, lightness, unprofitableness, and for their being fit fuel for everlasting burnings; see Psa 1:5; and good men, and true prophets of the Lord, and all the righteous, are as "wheat" for choiceness and excellency, purity and solidity; and these are not to be mixed together, should not now, nor will they be hereafter, Mat 3:12. (l) "narret ut somnium", Grotius, Gataker, Schmidt. (m) "et penes quem est verbum meum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "at cum quo est verbum meum", Schmidt; , Sept. (n) "vere", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius; "veritate", Montanus, Schmidt. (o) "narret meum verbum veritatem, quod est veritas", Kimchi, Ben Melech, Abarbinel. (p) "Loquatur verbum meum sicuti est", Schmidt.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:28 The Lord temporarily allowed the false prophets to tell their dreams. At the same time, the Lord had his true messengers, such as Jeremiah, to proclaim his every word. This allowed the people to see the difference between the useless dreams of the false prophets (straw) and the nourishing words of the Lord’s messengers (grain); cp. Ps 1:3-4.
Jeremiah 23:28
Lying Prophets
27They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Israel) Preaching Christ With Authority
By David Wilkerson18K50:53AuthorityISA 58:12JER 23:28MAT 28:18ACT 4:131CO 2:42CO 10:42TI 4:2In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God with spiritual authority. He shares a personal experience of a young man who came seeking wisdom but criticized the preacher for not truly listening. The speaker reflects on his own preaching journey and recalls moments when he felt a powerful spiritual authority in his messages. He then discusses the need to preach Christ with authority and highlights the example of a humble leader who took the lowest seat in the house despite being a respected bishop in six nations.
False Prophets Are in Our Midst
By Aaron Ernst2.4K08:09False TeachersJER 23:21JER 23:282TI 4:2In this sermon, Aaron Ernst emphasizes the importance of preaching the word of God and staying true to sound doctrine. He warns against the temptation to seek out teachers who cater to personal desires rather than teaching the truth. Ernst also discusses the characteristics of a true prophet, highlighting the importance of producing good fruit and leading people to repentance. He cautions against relying on worldly philosophies and emphasizes the need to recognize false prophets. The sermon is based on 2 Timothy 4:2 and Jeremiah 23:21.
The Threshing Floor of Ornan
By T. Austin-Sparks1.9K29:44Ornan1SA 24:152SA 6:61CH 21:11CH 21:15JER 23:28MAT 3:12MAT 6:33In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine and real relationship with God. He highlights the need for believers to have a solid foundation in their faith and not just rely on superficial teachings or forms of religion. The speaker warns against becoming too familiar with holy things and treating them as common or cheap. He also discusses the significance of threshing floors in biblical turning points and how they symbolize the refining process that God uses to purify his people.
Woe to the Foolish Prophets
By Brian Gochenour1.2K34:48Foolish ProphetsJER 23:28EZK 13:4JHN 3:16In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the Bible as the final authority for the church. They criticize those who try to undermine the word of God and promote a false concept of spirituality without relying on scripture. The speaker encourages the audience to contemplate and seek understanding beyond what can be seen and measured in the physical world. They also highlight the difference between being encouraged to continue in one's own ways versus being encouraged to align with God's desires, even if it means changing who we are. The sermon references Jeremiah's message of God's words being like fire that devours, indicating the spiritual battle believers face. The speaker also mentions the fall of sister congregations and the need to prioritize the revelation of God in discussions and teachings, rather than getting caught up in debates over secondary matters. The sermon concludes by warning against false teachers who fail to fulfill their duty to preach and prepare the people for the battle of the Lord.
Faithfulness
By A.W. Pink0FaithfulnessLoyalty to GodNUM 12:7PSA 31:23PRO 13:17JER 23:28DAN 6:41CO 4:21CO 4:17GAL 3:91TI 1:12REV 2:10A.W. Pink emphasizes the critical importance of faithfulness in ministry, asserting that it is a non-negotiable requirement for those appointed as stewards of God's Word. He highlights that true faithfulness involves loyalty to Christ, unwavering commitment to preaching the truth, and the courage to stand firm against popular opinion. Pink illustrates this with examples from Scripture, noting that faithful servants like Abraham, Moses, and Paul were marked by their steadfastness despite personal costs. He warns that in a world rife with disloyalty and compromise, ministers must rely on God's promises to sustain their faithfulness. Ultimately, Pink calls all believers to embody this virtue, reminding them that faithfulness is essential for both ministers and the wider church community.
Wherein the Bible Differs From All Other Books
By R.A. Torrey0Depth and Accuracy of ScriptureUniqueness of the BiblePSA 23:1PSA 36:6JER 23:28JHN 3:161JN 4:8R.A. Torrey emphasizes the unparalleled uniqueness of the Bible, asserting that it stands alone in its depth and accuracy compared to all other books. He argues that the Bible's profound teachings are inexhaustible, with generations of scholars unable to fully comprehend its depths. Torrey highlights that the Bible is always ahead of human understanding and never out of date, making it a timeless source of wisdom. He also points out the absolute accuracy of the Bible's statements, which convey truth without exaggeration or omission. Ultimately, Torrey calls for a deeper engagement with the Bible, as it is the only book that can truly transform lives.
Epistle 64
By George Fox0JER 23:28George Fox emphasizes the importance of speaking the word of the Lord faithfully, without adding or diminishing from it, as it is sharper than a two-edged sword to cut down deceit and purify the speaker. He encourages believers to serve one another in love, following the example of Christ, and to walk in truth and love to bring joy and unity in the Lord. Fox reminds the congregation to humble themselves, fear the Lord, and condescend to those of low degree, for the pure in heart see God.
The Effectuality of True Preaching
By Bryan Anthony0PSA 119:130ISA 6:8JER 23:28ROM 10:141CO 1:181TH 1:91TH 2:132TI 4:2HEB 4:12Bryan Anthony preaches about the famine of true preaching in the midst of societal darkness, drawing parallels between the Gin Craze in 18th century England and the skepticism and hardness of heart prevalent today. He emphasizes the need for a revival of authentic preaching that shatters stony hearts and delivers the perspective of God Himself, as seen in the transformative power of the Gospel proclaimed by George Whitefield and the Wesley brothers during England's revival. Anthony challenges preachers to seek a holy resonance through surrender to the Lord, highlighting that true preaching is a divine phenomenon that brings eternity to bear upon its hearers.
Third Lesson. ‘Pray to Thy Father, Which Is in Secret;’ Or, Alone With God
By Andrew Murray0JER 23:28JHN 14:61TI 1:61TI 6:20The preacher delves into the concept of 'astocheo,' meaning to deviate from truth or miss the mark spiritually. Paul highlights how false teachers strayed from the central truth, leading to a disruption in faith. Emphasizing the importance of handling the Word of Truth accurately, Paul warns against the disastrous consequences of mishandling it. The sermon underscores the significance of staying true to the core teachings and not being led astray by fruitless discussions or false knowledge.
The Voice of Jeremiah
By T. Austin-Sparks0Faithfulness in MinistryGod's Sovereignty2CH 36:22JER 1:10JER 2:13JER 23:28JER 25:12JER 31:31JHN 4:14JHN 7:38ACT 13:27HEB 8:6T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the prophetic voice of Jeremiah, who, despite facing rejection and apparent failure, remained faithful to God's calling. Jeremiah's ministry highlighted the contrasts between reliance on God (the Fountain) versus human efforts (the cisterns), the true Word of God versus false teachings (the wheat and the chaff), and the Old Covenant versus the New Covenant. Sparks illustrates that while Jeremiah did not witness the fulfillment of his prophecies, God's sovereignty ensured that his message would ultimately be vindicated through history. The sermon calls believers to recognize the eternal significance of God's work through His prophets, even when it seems unacknowledged in their time. The enduring relevance of Jeremiah's voice serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in ministry, regardless of immediate results.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
God answers the objection which might be stated, "What, then, must we do, when lies are spoken as truths, and prophets oppose prophets?" Do the same as when wheat is mixed with chaff: do not reject the wheat because of the chaff mixed with it, but discriminate between the false and the true revelations. The test is adherence to, or forgetfulness of, Me and My law (Jer 23:27). that hath a dream--that pretends to have a divine communication by dream, let him tell it "faithfully," that it may be compared with "my word" (Co2 4:2). The result will be the former (both the prophets and their fictions) will soon be seen to be chaff; the latter (the true prophets and the word of God in their mouth) wheat (Psa 1:4; Hos 13:3).
John Gill Bible Commentary
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream,.... These words are directed not to a true prophet of the Lord, that has a dream from him, or something communicated to him in a dream by the Lord, which he is to deliver as such; but to a false prophet, that says he has dreamed; and if he has dreamed a dream, let him tell it as a "dream" (l); so some supply it, as the fruit of his own roving fancy and imagination in sleep; and not call it a revelation from the Lord, and impose it upon the people as such. The Septuagint version is, "let him tell his dream"; let him tell it as his own, and not as a dream from the Lord; and he that hath my word; the word of prophecy by revelation, and under the influence of the Spirit of God, as the true prophets: "my word"; not the word of men, or the word spoken by angels, or the Scriptures in general; but the word of the Gospel, the word of peace and reconciliation, of righteousness, life, and salvation; the evangelical part of the word, though not to the exclusion of all the rest, but this chiefly: "he that hath it"; or "with whom", or "in whom it is" (m); who has it not only in his hands to read, nor merely in his head, so as to have speculative notions of it; but has it in his heart, where it is come with power, and is become the ingrafted word; and who has a large share of spiritual and experimental knowledge of it, and an ability and capacity to express it to the edification of others; let him speak my word faithfully; or "truly" (n); as it is. Ministers of the word are stewards, and it is required of such that they be faithful, and a more honourable character they cannot well have; and then may the word of the Lord be said to be spoken faithfully, when nothing else is spoken but that; when there is no mixture of man's with it; and when the whole of it is spoken, and nothing kept back or concealed; when a man's views in it are sincere and upright, and he aims only at the glory of God; and the good of immortal souls; when it is spoken out, openly and boldly, not as pleasing men, but God, and as in his sight, to whom the account must be given: or, "let him speak my word, truth" (o); which is truth; or, for it is truth, as Kimchi; so this is a reason why it should be spoken freely, fully, publicly, and boldly, because it is truth, and nothing but truth: or, "let him speak my word as truth"; or as it is (p); it comes from the God of truth; if lies in the Scriptures of truth; the subject matter of it is truth, Christ, who is truth itself, and those doctrines, relative to his person, office, and grace, and salvation by him; and it is the Spirit of truth that directs into it, owns it, and makes it useful; what is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord; there is no comparison between the one and the other; the one is greatly preferable to the other; there is as much difference between the dreams and lies of the false prophets and the word of God, as there is between chaff and wheat. False doctrine is as "chaff", light; when put into the balance of the sanctuary it is found wanting; it is of no value; it is as wood, hay, and stubble, in comparison of gold, silver, and precious stones; it is not fit for food, and has no nourishment in it, but the contrary, and its end is to be burned. Some doctrine is as "wheat", choice and excellent, pure, solid, substantial, and of a nourishing and strengthening nature. And what is the one to the other? or what have they to do with one another? they should not be mixed together, but separated. So the Syriac version, "why do ye mix the chaff with the wheat?" see Co2 2:17. The Targum interprets this of persons, paraphrasing the words thus, "behold, as one separates between the chaff and the wheat, so I separate between the righteous and the wicked, saith the Lord.'' Wicked men are as "chaff"; such were the false prophets, and all ungodly men, for their emptiness, lightness, unprofitableness, and for their being fit fuel for everlasting burnings; see Psa 1:5; and good men, and true prophets of the Lord, and all the righteous, are as "wheat" for choiceness and excellency, purity and solidity; and these are not to be mixed together, should not now, nor will they be hereafter, Mat 3:12. (l) "narret ut somnium", Grotius, Gataker, Schmidt. (m) "et penes quem est verbum meum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "at cum quo est verbum meum", Schmidt; , Sept. (n) "vere", Pagninus, Junius & Tremellius; "veritate", Montanus, Schmidt. (o) "narret meum verbum veritatem, quod est veritas", Kimchi, Ben Melech, Abarbinel. (p) "Loquatur verbum meum sicuti est", Schmidt.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
23:28 The Lord temporarily allowed the false prophets to tell their dreams. At the same time, the Lord had his true messengers, such as Jeremiah, to proclaim his every word. This allowed the people to see the difference between the useless dreams of the false prophets (straw) and the nourishing words of the Lord’s messengers (grain); cp. Ps 1:3-4.