Jeremiah 27:14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Therefore hearken {H8085} not unto the words {H1697} of the prophets {H5030} that speak {H559} unto you, saying {H559}, Ye shall not serve {H5647} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}: for they prophesy {H5012} a lie {H8267} unto you.

Don't listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Bavel'; because they are prophesying lies to you.

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say, ‘You must not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying to you a lie.

And hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon; for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Jeremiah 27:14 delivers a stern warning from God through His prophet Jeremiah to the people of Judah, specifically concerning their response to the impending Babylonian conquest. The verse directly addresses the issue of false prophets who were assuring the people that they would not have to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, contrary to God's revealed will.

Context

This verse is situated during the reign of King Zedekiah in Judah, a period marked by political turmoil and the growing dominance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. God had decreed that Judah would undergo a period of subservience and exile under Babylon as a divine judgment for their idolatry and disobedience. Jeremiah was God's chosen messenger for this difficult truth, urging submission to Babylon as the only path for survival, while many other prophets offered a more comforting, yet ultimately deceptive, message of peace and freedom from Babylonian rule. Jeremiah’s consistent message was that Judah must submit to Babylon's rule, even making symbolic yokes to illustrate this.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: God is presented as sovereign over nations, using Babylon as an instrument of His judgment against Judah. The call to serve Babylon was not a sign of God's weakness, but His deliberate plan.
  • Distinguishing True from False Prophecy: The verse highlights the critical need to discern truth from falsehood. True prophecy, though often unpopular, aligns with God's ultimate will and character, even when it involves hardship. False prophecy, conversely, often appeals to popular sentiment or provides comforting lies. Deuteronomy 18:22 provides a key test for true prophecy: it comes to pass.
  • Obedience to Unpopular Truths: The instruction to "hearken not" to the false prophets underscores the importance of obeying God's unpopular truth over politically convenient or comforting lies.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "lie" in this verse is sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), which carries a strong connotation of falsehood, deceit, and vanity. When applied to prophecy, it means a message that is fundamentally untrue and misleading, often designed to deceive or based on self-deception rather than divine revelation. The phrase "prophesy a lie" emphasizes that these messages were not merely mistaken, but actively contrary to God's truth.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 27:14 serves as a timeless reminder for believers to exercise discernment in an age saturated with information and diverse voices. We are called to:

  • Discern Truth: Seek God's truth diligently through His Word and prayer, rather than relying on messages that merely confirm our biases or offer superficial comfort.
  • Embrace Difficult Truths: Recognize that God's will may not always be easy or popular, but it is always righteous and ultimately for our good.
  • Guard Against Deception: Be wary of voices that promise an easy path or contradict established biblical principles, especially when they appeal to our desires for comfort or immediate relief without addressing underlying spiritual issues. This principle is vital for spiritual growth and maturity, mirroring the constant need for vigilance against spiritual deception described in the New Testament, such as putting on the full armor of God.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 14:14

    Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

  • Jeremiah 23:21

    I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:13

    For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:15

    Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

  • Jeremiah 29:8

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that [be] in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

  • Jeremiah 29:9

    For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 22:22

    And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

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