Not Everyone is a Prophet Who Dreams

Jeremiah 23:25–40
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God used dreams to reveal His will, and yet not every dream is God’s revelation, nor is everyone who dreams a prophet (v. 25). The dreams in this passage were designed to make Judah forget God’s name much as earlier prophets did through Baal worship (cf. v. 13). False doctrine, the deceit of one’s heart, draws people away from God and His truth just as idolatry does (vv. 26-27). God calls for honesty and faithfulness from every prophet (v. 28). God does not say a man cannot share his dream. However, God does call for a man to have enough integrity to distinguish between divine revelation and the dreams of man. God is repulsed by the man who mixes the chaff of his own dreams with the pure wheat of His word. Man’s dreams are not equal to God’s word, which burns “like a fire” and crushes “like a hammer” (v. 29).

These “prophets” did  not rely entirely upon their “dreams (vv.30-32) .” They Listened to godly prophets like Jeremiah in order to steal and twist his message, and to enhance their own. When the people sought for a word from God, Jeremiah was to announce that there was none. It had already been given; and the word from God was that He would forsake them. The people were misusing His  word so much by claiming divine authority that God told them not to mention the word again (vv. 33-35). Those who continued to claim divine oracles would be judged severely by God. The word “oracle” comes from a root meaning “to lift up,” and denotes a load or burden. Jeremiah uses a play on this word and its varied meanings to deliver the message of the coming judgment. The false prophets were making light of Jeremiah’s message when they inquired sarcastically about his “oracle” for the day. These people had claimed God’s authority for all the things they were saying (vv. 36-40). They said “God said this,” when God did not say it at all. They were preaching themselves, not God.

Application

I must faithfully take God’s Word and proclaim it to people without diluting it. I also want to help them to see the loving heart of God who desires to see us turn to Him.