Jeremiah 14:14

"The prophets are prophesying lies in My name," replied the LORD. "I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Study Bible

The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,
In the context of Jeremiah 14, false prophets were misleading the people of Judah by claiming to speak for God. This phrase highlights the severity of using God's name to legitimize falsehoods. Biblically, this is a violation of the commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). The cultural context of ancient Israel placed great importance on the authority of prophets, making false prophecy particularly dangerous.

replied the LORD.
This indicates that the message comes directly from God, emphasizing its authority and truth. Throughout the Old Testament, God often communicated through prophets like Jeremiah to correct and guide His people. The use of "replied" suggests a response to a situation or question, underscoring the ongoing dialogue between God and His people.

I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them.
God clarifies that these prophets have no divine mandate. In biblical history, true prophets were chosen and sent by God, as seen with Moses (Exodus 3:10) and Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8-9). This phrase underscores the importance of divine commissioning in authentic prophecy.

They are prophesying to you a false vision,
The false prophets were presenting visions that did not originate from God. In the Bible, visions are often used to convey divine messages, such as those given to Daniel (Daniel 7) and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1). The term "false vision" indicates a counterfeit revelation, misleading the people away from God's truth.

a worthless divination,
Divination refers to seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12, divination is condemned as detestable to God. The use of "worthless" suggests that these practices are not only ineffective but also devoid of any true spiritual value.

the futility and delusion of their own minds.
This phrase highlights the human origin of the false prophecies, contrasting them with divine revelation. The futility and delusion indicate that these messages are based on human imagination and deception rather than God's truth. This echoes the warnings in Proverbs 3:5 about relying on one's own understanding instead of trusting in the Lord.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.

2. False Prophets
Individuals claiming to speak on behalf of God but delivering messages that are not from Him.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His displeasure with the false prophets.

5. Prophecy
The act of delivering messages believed to be from God, which in this context, are false and misleading.

Teaching Points

Discernment in Prophecy
Believers must exercise discernment and test the spirits to ensure that messages claiming to be from God align with Scripture.

Authority of God's Word
The Bible is the ultimate authority, and any prophecy or teaching must be measured against it.

Consequences of False Prophecy
False prophets lead people away from God, resulting in spiritual and sometimes physical consequences.

Responsibility of Leaders
Spiritual leaders have a responsibility to speak truthfully and align their teachings with God's Word.

Personal Accountability
Each believer is accountable for seeking truth and not being led astray by false teachings.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can we discern between true and false prophets in today's context, and what tools does Scripture provide for this discernment?

2. In what ways can false teachings infiltrate the church, and how can we guard against them?

3. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed questionable. How did you determine its validity?

4. How does understanding the role of prophecy in the Old Testament help us interpret prophetic messages today?

5. What steps can you take to ensure that your understanding of God's Word is accurate and not influenced by false teachings?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Discusses the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing that a true prophet's words will come to pass.

Ezekiel 13:1-9
Condemns false prophets who lead people astray with their own imaginations.

Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing.

1 John 4:1
Encourages believers to test the spirits to discern whether they are from God, as many false prophets have gone out into the world.