Jeremiah 23:17
They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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These false prophets twist God's name, boldly claiming "The LORD has spoken" while actually just echoing the stubbornness of people's own hearts. They offer false peace not through God's word, but by validating sinful desires and promising impunity. This verse highlights how dangerous it is when those claiming spiritual authority bless rebellion instead of calling people to God's truth.
The prophet Jeremiah is passionately denouncing the false prophets who are misleading the people of Judah. These false prophets are speaking smooth words of peace and prosperity to those who are openly defying God and living according to their own selfish desires, essentially promising them impunity from disaster. This stands in stark contrast to the dire warnings Jeremiah himself is delivering from the Lord about impending judgment.
Ever heard someone tell you everything's fine, even when your gut says otherwise? This verse reveals a dangerous pattern of false reassurance.
Jeremiah calls out prophets who are essentially singing a lullaby of false peace to those who are actively rejecting God's Word and stubbornly following their own desires.
The Despisers of God's Word
These are people who don't just disagree with God; they actively look down on, scorn, and dismiss what God says. Yet, the false prophets tell them, 'It shall be well with you.' This is the opposite of what God's true message often entails – sometimes challenging us to change.
The Stubbornly Self-Willed
Then there are those 'who stubbornly follow his own heart.' This isn't just a bad day; it's a deep-seated pattern of ignoring God's guidance and marching to the beat of their own drum. To them, the false prophets declare, 'No disaster shall come upon you.' This is a terrifying denial of the consequences of such a path.
False messages often masquerade as divine truth. How do we spot when God's name is being twisted to justify sin?
A key element here is that these false prophets claim God Himself is the source of their comforting, yet deceptive, message. They don't just say it will be well; they say, 'The LORD hath said...'
Claiming Divine Authority
This is a serious offense. The true prophets received their message from God after standing in His counsel, hearing His Word. But these false prophets 'say, The LORD hath said,' without any genuine divine warrant. They are using God's name to legitimize their lies.
The True Prophet vs. The False Prophet
True prophets often brought messages of judgment and repentance, which were difficult to hear but ultimately led to restoration. False prophets, however, offered empty promises of peace and prosperity to those living in sin. Their words aimed to lull people into a false sense of security, making them harder to reach with God's true, corrective message.
Understand the original words
na'ats · Hebrew Verb
A fundamental biblical concept denoting the rejection or contemptuous disregard for God's revealed instruction and authority.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
The rebellion against God’s moral order, usually resulting in divine judgment and the opposite of the 'shalom' (peace/well-being) promised by God.
Jeremiah's message in this verse arises during a period of intense national crisis, as Jerusalem faces imminent destruction and exile due to persistent disobedience. The false prophets he condemns offer a dangerous, superficial comfort that directly contradicts God's impending judgment, leading the people further into spiritual ruin.
c. 627 BC
Jeremiah begins prophetic ministry
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy during the reign of King Josiah, a time of religious reform but also deep-seated corruption.
609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah, a righteous ruler, is killed in battle at Megiddo, plunging Judah into political instability and spiritual decline.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of elites, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a rebellion, Babylon deports King Jehoiachin and another large group of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah's warning, showing how false prophets plastered over dangerous situations with superficial promises of peace, ignoring the real spiritual sickness.
Zechariah 10:2Here, the people are described as being led astray by false prophets who offer deceptive dreams and comfort, mirroring the false peace offered to those who refuse God's word.
Micah 3:11This verse presents a very similar condemnation of religious leaders who offer comfort and claim divine sanction for their pronouncements, even while engaging in corrupt practices.
1 John 4:1This New Testament passage gives us a crucial test for discerning true prophecy from false, urging us to examine if the message aligns with God's character and known word, unlike the deceitful pronouncements in Jeremiah.
calvinJeremiah 23:17-18: "They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you."
Dicentes dicendo iis qui me contemnunt, Loquutus est Jehova, Pax erit vobis, et omnibus qui ambulant (cunctis ambulantibus; est quidem singularis numerus, ad verbum, cuique ambulanti) in pravitate cordis sui, dicunt, Non veniet super vos malum.
For who hath stood in the couns…
ellicottJeremiah 23:17: "They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you."
(17) Imagination. —As before ( Jeremiah 3:17 and elsewhere), stubbornness. The tendency of all that the false prophets uttered was to confirm the people in their sins, not to lead them to repentance. It is noticeable that the Hebrew verb for “hath said ” is not the same as the received f…
These false prophets twist God's name, boldly claiming "The LORD has spoken" while actually just echoing the stubbornness of people's own hearts. They offer false peace not through God's word, but by validating sinful desires and promising impunity. This verse highlights how dangerous it is when those claiming spiritual authority bless rebellion instead of calling people to God's truth.
The prophet Jeremiah is passionately denouncing the false prophets who are misleading the people of Judah. These false prophets are speaking smooth words of peace and prosperity to those who are openly defying God and living according to their own selfish desires, essentially promising them impunity from disaster. This stands in stark contrast to the dire warnings Jeremiah himself is delivering from the Lord about impending judgment.
The prophet Jeremiah is passionately denouncing the false prophets who are misleading the people of Judah. These false prophets are speaking smooth words of peace and prosperity to those who are openly defying God and living according to their own selfish desires, essentially promising them impunity from disaster. This stands in stark contrast to the dire warnings Jeremiah himself is delivering from the Lord about impending judgment.
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What does it mean to 'walk after the imagination of your own heart,' and why is it so dangerous?
The phrase 'walketh after the imagination of his own heart' (or 'obstinacy of his heart') describes a deep, willful resistance to God's ways. It’s not just an occasional mistake, but a chosen direction.
A Pattern of Defiance
This isn't about accidental sin; it’s about a heart that is set against God's will. The Hebrew word translated 'imagination' here also carries the sense of stubbornness or hardness. It’s a person who has made their own heart their ultimate authority, ignoring God's commands and guidance.
The Result: Impunity and Disaster
To these individuals, the false prophets offer total absolution: 'No disaster shall come upon you.' This is a profound deception. God’s justice eventually catches up to willful disobedience. The false prophets’ message is a spiritual anesthetic, numbing the soul to impending spiritual danger and hardening hearts further in their sin.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, marking the end of the Davidic kingdom and the beginning of the Babylonian exile for most Judeans.
c. 580 BC— this verse
Jeremiah prophesies to exiles
Jeremiah, now in exile or having witnessed the destruction, continues to prophesy, addressing the despair of the exiles and warning against false hope.
"They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, ‘It shall be well with you’; and to everyone who stubbornly follows his own heart, they say, ‘No disaster shall come upon you.’”" — These false prophets twist God's name, boldly claiming "The LORD has spoken" while actually just echoing the stubbornness of people's own hearts. They offer false peace not through God's word, but by…
