Jeremiah 23:28

Commentary on Jeremiah 23:28 (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:28 is a pivotal verse in the prophet Jeremiah's condemnation of false prophets, drawing a sharp distinction between human invention and divine revelation. It emphasizes the absolute purity and authority of God's word compared to the fleeting, worthless messages concocted by men.

Context

The book of Jeremiah chronicles the prophet's challenging ministry during the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, leading up to its destruction and the Babylonian exile. Throughout chapters 21-29, Jeremiah intensely confronts the prevalent issue of false prophets who contradicted his message of impending judgment and exile with promises of peace and prosperity (e.g., Jeremiah 14:14). These false prophets often claimed to have dreams or visions, but their words lacked divine authority and did not lead the people to repentance. This verse serves as a divine directive for how true and false prophetic messages should be handled and understood.

Key Themes

• Distinction Between True and False Prophecy: The verse explicitly separates those who speak from dreams (often self-generated or deceptive) from those who speak God's actual word. This highlights the crucial need for discernment in spiritual matters.
• The Authority and Purity of God's Word: God's word is presented as the ultimate standard of truth and substance. It is pure, potent, and possesses inherent value, unlike human-derived messages. The verse immediately precedes a powerful description of God's word as a fire and a hammer, further emphasizing its transformative power.
• Faithful Proclamation: The command "he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully" underscores the immense responsibility of those entrusted with divine revelation. It calls for integrity, accuracy, and unwavering commitment to delivering God's message as it is, without adulteration or compromise.

Linguistic Insights

The core of this verse's message lies in the powerful rhetorical question: "What is the chaff to the wheat?"

• Chaff (mots): This refers to the lightweight, worthless husks separated from the grain during threshing. It is easily blown away by the wind (Psalm 1:4) and has no nutritional value. In this context, it symbolizes the emptiness, falsehood, and lack of substance in the messages of false prophets.
• Wheat (bar): This represents the valuable, nourishing grain. It is substantial, essential for life, and enduring. It symbolizes God's pure, life-giving, and authoritative word.

The question itself implies an obvious answer: there is no comparison. The two are fundamentally different in nature, purpose, and value.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 23:28 holds timeless relevance for believers today:

1. Discerning Truth: In an age saturated with information and diverse spiritual claims, this verse reminds us to critically evaluate messages, whether from religious leaders, media, or personal experiences. The ultimate test remains: Does it align with God's revealed Word, the Bible? Believers are called to test the spirits.
2. Valuing Scripture: It elevates the Bible as the supreme source of truth and guidance. It encourages us to immerse ourselves in God's word, allowing it to shape our understanding and worldview, rather than relying on fleeting trends or human philosophies.
3. Integrity in Proclamation: For those who teach or preach God's word, this verse serves as a solemn reminder of their responsibility to "speak my word faithfully." It calls for careful study, honest interpretation, and courageous delivery of the full counsel of God, without fear or favor.

Ultimately, Jeremiah 23:28 is a powerful call to prioritize and cling to the substantial, life-giving truth of God's word, distinguishing it sharply from anything that is merely human invention or deceitful illusion.