Jeremiah 23:9-24:10

I recently heard a message on the unity of believers in the Ephesian letter.  The comments stressed our oneness in Christ and that there should be no schism in the Body of Christ.  This truth is often lost in today’s Church and in ministry.  One aspect of the Garden Tomb ministry is the enjoyment of serving with believers from various Christian traditions.  We must endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3).

But we are also reminded that Jesus came to bring a sword that even divides households (Matt. 10:34-39).  A study of the New Testament calls believers to a ministry of discernment whereby we must identify false teachers and call them out for the harm they bring to the Body (e.g. Acts 20:27-32; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 3:1-4; Gal. 1:6-10; 2 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Pt. 2; Jude 1 and many others).

There are two things that can properly divide God’s people.  One is the message of the gospel itself (Gal. 1:8).  The other is the work of good shepherds who warn the flock of false teachers.  Jesus pointed out these so-called shepherds who are thieves or hirelings, who will only harm the flock (John 10:10-13).

Such was the case in Judea of Jeremiah’s day.  Chapter 23:9-40 is a lengthy assault on the false prophets who have been frequently referenced already.  Listen to what God himself says of them.

•    v11: They are profane, meaning they and their ministries were ordinary, characterized by hedonism, materialism and self-exaltation of the world.
•    v16-17: Their ministries were worthless, not benefiting the hearers.
•    v20-24: Eventually it would be seen they were not sent by God.
•    v25-29: They spoke of dreams rather than the revealed word of God.
•    v33-40: Though they claimed to give God’s oracles, they were liars.

Remember that the message of Jeremiah rang true to the promises of judgment given in the Law, especially in Deuteronomy.  His message was not a new word from God; it was the message of Moses applied to the modern situation.

Chapter 24 is another object lesson that shows how God’s message to Judah was divisive.  The people were being told that their only hope was to give up to the Babylonians.  Thus God was saying here that the Jews in Babylon would be blessed; God’s favor would be on them (v4-7).  The Jews who resisted in Jerusalem would be cursed; God would deliver them into trouble (v8-10).

So do we not see that both in Israel as in the Church the shepherds have always been called on to protect the flock from those who would lead them astray?  “’Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ says the LORD” (Jer. 23:1).  And the message itself will always make a clear distinction between believers and non-believers.  Let us stand fast for the gospel, and let us do all things in love (1 Cor. 16:13-14).