Jeremiah, Chapter 8

The Jew's Coming Punishment; Their Universal and Incurable Impenitence
No One Repented of His Wickedness

The Harvest is at its End; The Summer is Past

The titles given here comes from Jeremiah 8:20; symbolizing the approach of the Chaldean invasion and the hopelessness of any deliverance of the people. All opportunities for repentance and return to God have been rejected; and the nation is rushing headlong into destruction.
Divisions of the chapter, can be as follows; the invaders desecrate the graves (Jer.8:1-3); Israel stubbornly continues in idolatry (Jer.8:4-7); God describes the penalty of their apostasy (Jer.8:8-13); the invaders approach (Jer.8:14-17); the sorrow of the prophet is recorded (Jeremiah 8:18-22).

The judgments threatened in Chapter 7 are here confirmed to extend to even the dead, whose tombs would be opened, and the bodies treated with every mark of humiliation and shame. Jeremiah returns to rebuke them for their persisting in their wickedness and for their selfish stupidity, which even the instinct of the brute creation, by a beautiful contrast, is made to rebuke. Jeremiah further threatens them in an assortment of striking terms, which brings on the Jews expressing their terror on the news of the invasion . . . this is greatly intensified by the prophet's hearing the snorting of Nebuchadnezzar's horses all the way from Dan, and then seeing the devastation made by his army, whose cruelties God Himself declares that He will not soften. Because of this declaration, Jeremiah laments bitterly over the fate of his people, changing the scene to the place of her captivity, where she is introduced answering in mournful responses to the prophet's lamentation (Jer.8:18-22). The variety of images and symbols used to increase the same subject is equally pleasing and astonishing.

Chapter 8 continues Jeremiah's message as he stands in the gate of the LORD'S House.

Dead Bodies Humiliated and Shamed (Jer. 8:1-3)

Jer. 8:1 At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves: (KJV)

At that time, saith the LORD . . . this is the continuation of Chapter 7.
They shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes . . . Judah's enemies, as an insult, would desecrate Judah's dead by publicly exposing their bodies in the aftermath of battle.
And the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves . . . the bones of royalty, priesthood, prophets and the common citizens would suffer the same fate; no one would be spared. The victorious Babylonians were about to violate the sanctuaries of the dead in search of plunder; jewelry, ornaments, treasures, and insignia of royalty that were usually buried with kings. Or possibly, their purpose was to do the greatest dishonor to the dead (Isa. 14:19).

*****This chapter continues Chapter 7. Jeremiah keeps on in carrying on the threats with higher aggravations of the judgment that when the time shall come spoken of in Jer.7:32. The Chaldeans' rage shall reach not only the living, but even those that are in their graves, and sparing none of any degree or quality.
They shall bring out the bones of the nobles and princes, as Manasseh and others, possibly led to it out of greed, supposing to find great treasure in their graves; of the priests and prophets, mainly the false ones, as a just judgment of God against them for deceiving the people; of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their spite and fury ignited against them, as soldiers, or in contempt and humiliation. This notes the utter desolation of the city, not only destroying the walls, but turning up the very sepulchers, which were accounted sacred, and not to be violated.

Jer. 8:2 And they shall spread them before the sun, and the moon, and all the host of heaven, whom they have loved, and whom they have served, and after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped: they shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth. (KJV)

They shall spread them before the sun . . . they scattered the bodies to be turned into dust and dung.
And the moon, and all the host of heaven . . . all the stars, to show that they should not lie out in the day time only, but night also, before the moon and stars (Jer. 36:30). Their dead bodies shall be cast to their idols (Lev.26:30; 2 Ki.23:14, 20); a kind of remembrance, that they had served and worshipped these vile idols, God shall appoint them as spectators and witnesses of His vengeance, revealing what contempt He pours upon them. Their dead bodies being brought before their idols, will be so shameful, as if God brought the adulteress with the adulterer into open view, exposing them together. It also implies the inability that is in these dumb idols to help them in their misery.
Whom they have loved, and whom they have served . . . this expresses the greatness and variety of their affection and passion in their worshipping idols (Deut.4:19; 2 Ki.23:5; Jer.7:18).
And after whom they have walked, and whom they have sought, and whom they have worshipped . . . they searched for these deceitful false gods, walked after them and worshipped them instead of Almighty God!
They shall not be gathered, nor be buried; they shall be for dung upon the face of the earth . . .They shall be for dung upon the face of the earth; there shall be no care taken of them, but they shall lie in the open until they rot into dung, or dry into dust, as in the beginning of the verse (Ps.83:10; Jer.9:22); they shall be disgraceful even after death.

Jer. 8:3 And death shall be chosen rather than life by all the residue of them that remain of this evil family, which remain in all the places whither I have driven them, saith the LORD of hosts. (KJV)

And death shall be chosen rather than life . . . life would be so awful, so indescribable, so miserable that they would rather choose death than to live.
By all the residue of them that remain of this evil family . . . the barbarism of the Babylonians exercised upon the dead, was a small matter compared to what the living would feel, not only their being led into captivity, but having God's displeasure following them with each step . . . in their banishment, they were sorely oppressed, one of those threats from God (Lev.26:36, 39; Job 3:20-21; Rev.9:6).
Which remain in all the places whither I have driven them . . . some dispersed among the mountains and hiding-places of Judea, others in the desert of Moab and Idumea, where they fled for fear of the Chaldeans, and all other places where God would scatter them.
The LORD of hosts, He has all the creatures as an army at His command, and He can do right His judgments against all those with whom He is displeased. BEWARE!!!

Israel stubbornly continues in idolatry (Jer. 8:4-7)

Jer. 8:4 Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD; Shall they fall, and not arise? shall he turn away, and not return? (KJV)

Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD . . . although it will possibly all be in vain, Jeremiah is to keep up his work.
Shall they fall, and not arise? . . . shall they fall? Is there no hope? Are they on desperate ground? Are they such fools, which having fallen by their sins, and been foretold all that is coming, that they will not accept of a remedy? (Jer.7:27; Hos.14:1).
Shall he turn away, and not return? . . . can any imagine that if one tell him the right way, that he will not listen to him, and turn back? It is even against a man not to seek his own good.

Jer. 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. (KJV)

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? . . .a perpetual backsliding is stubbornly resolving to hold on, even though they know they are disobeying God. The Hebrew word signifies strength (Ps.13:1), and translated for ever, implying a strong, stiff, stout refusal (Isa.57:17; Jer.5:3).
They hold fast deceit, they refuse to return . . . their injustice and trickery in outwitting one another, was often among them (Jer. 9:4-6; Mic.7:3-4); or their hypocrisy, where they thought they could deceive God . . . but in truth, they only deceived themselves, which was the great barrier of their repentance (Isa. 44:20). Also they stubbornly stayed close to their false prophets, who deceived them, thus encouraging themselves in their wickedness, and thinking that the miseries would not come to them (Isa.30:10; Jer.1:1; Jer.14:13).

Jer. 8:6 I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle. (KJV)

I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright . . . the words of God rather than of the prophet, and it is plain that God speaks, expressing Himself concerning the manner of men, who are accustomed to listen attentively to the things of which they are very desirous (1 Ki.20:33; Mal.3:16).
No man repented him of his wickedness . . . they all refused to repent (Ex.10:11; Ps 1:4).  What have I done? . . . God saw no movement to repent, He saw not one of them so much as calling themselves to an account, not withdrawing from sin, where repentance usually begins (2 Chron.6:37).
Every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle . . . every one of them committing all wickedness without restraint (Isa.59:7). The fury and no control of their lusts was spurred by their wills, like a headstrong horse, he runs away with his rider; or compared to a horse running violently and headstrongly into the battle (Job 39:21), and the word rushing, suggesting correctly an inundation of waters, showing they were  uncontrollable (Jer.2:23-24). It is said every one (Ps.14:3; Isa.53:6), and often elsewhere.

Jer. 8:7 Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD. (KJV)

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times . . . in the heaven, in the air, which is often called heaven, where the birds fly (Ps.8:8; Jer.7:33), who possibly observe the fit time by the temperature of the air. Knoweth her appointed times . . . observe the seasons of her coming and going by some natural instinct. The birds obey God!
But my people know not the judgment of the LORD . . . this notes the stupidity of His people, seeming not to have as much sense as the birds in the air, not knowing to make good use of God's favors, nor to prevent or remove that wrath of God that hangs over their heads (Isa.5:12; Luk.19:42, 44); they know not the time for repentance, and making their peace with God, compared also to the beasts of the field (Isa.1:3); and as Christ rebukes the Pharisees (Mat.16:2-3).
But my people know not the judgment of the LORD . . . meaning either God's vengeance in general, or mainly that which now hovers over Jerusalem and Judea; or rather the manner of God's privileges with them (1 Sam.2:13; 8:11).

*****The stork in the heaven . . . the birds of passage know the times of their going and return, and promptly observe them; they obey the commands of nature, but God’s people do not obey His law.

God describes the penalty of their apostasy (Jer.8:8-13)

Jer. 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. (KJV)

How do ye say, We are wise? . . .where is your wisdom, when you see the fowls of the air are not as stupid as you are? He speaks either to princes and priests, or to the whole body of the people.
And the law of the LORD is with us? . . . this may be understood more specifically to the priests, with whom the Law was entrusted (Deut.33:10; Mal.2:7). They were of a mind to boast much of the Law, as well as of the Temple (Jer.18:18; Rom.2:17, 23).
Lo, certainly in vain made he it . . . for the use they made of it, they would have been as good without it. Hosea 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. (KJV)
The pen of the scribes is in vain . . . neither need it ever have been copied, disclosed and taken down to them by the scribe (Deut.17:18). These lawyers used it in the false interpretation of the law, in which they sided with the false prophets. A scribe was a teacher, one well versed in the in the Scripture, or respected as such.

*****The pen of the scribes is in vain . . . the deceitful pen of the scribes have written falsely, even though they had the Truth before them. It is a false statement to say that "the Jews have never falsified the sacred oracles;" they have done it over and over again. They have written falsehoods when they knew very well that they were false!

Jer. 8:9 The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? (KJV)

The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken . . . the people trusted in the refuge of their lies, but when God shall bring the threatened judgment, the wisest of them will find that they shall be confounded, not knowing what to do, but shall be taken with the others (Jer.4:9). By wise men he means the scribes in the former verse. The same said of Babylon (Isa.47:10).
Lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD . . . no truly wise man ever rejects the Word of the LORD!
And what wisdom is in them? . . . what is wisdom to them? How can they say they are wise, when they have no fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom (Pro.1:7; 9:10). They have no respect at all to the Word of God, which is the fountain of all wisdom (Deut.4:6; Ps.19:7-11; 2 Tim.3:15)

Jer. 8:10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. (KJV)

Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them . . . a summarized description of the miseries of war. God does here imply that their misery shall not be for a short time, but a very long time, so that the Chaldeans, shall enjoy their land by inheritances, they would be far from possessing their land for ever.
For every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness . . . so greedy were they after their own private gain, that they took no care of equity or justice . . . greed was the cause of all their fraudulent dealings with each other (Jer.6:13-15).

Jer. 8:11 For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. (KJV)

My comment on this verse: Ezekiel 13:10 Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace; and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered morter: (KJV)

Jer. 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (KJV)

Were they ashamed . . . were the false prophets, ashamed? No, it instead states how bold and brazen they were in their flatteries, and deceiving the people was a great worsening of their sin. They had not the least bit of shame, usually seen by blushing.
When they had committed abomination?. . . committed abomination both by encouraging the people, and joining with them in their idolatries (Jer.3:3).
Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush . . . no, absolutely not, they were not ashamed. What about people today? BEWARE!!! There is a lesson for all of us here! 
Therefore they shall fall among them that fall . . . because of this, they shall perish along with those whom they have deceived. To fall means to be killed (Ps.63:10; Lu 21:24).
At the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD . . . visit them means to inflict punishment on them (Jer.6:6).

*****The time of their visitation is the same as the harvest and the summer (Jer.8:20). This time of year is found five times (Jer. 8:12; 10:15; 46:21; 50:27; 51:18). Such visitation is found elsewhere only in (Isa. 10:3; Hos. 9:7; Mic.7:4; Lk.19:44; 1Pet 2:12). God had given them a definite time in which to repent, and they refused to do so; therefore, judgment had to fall. This time would be the time when all grapes would be reaped, with none left on the vine, and when there would be no figs on the trees because of the army of invaders. All that God had given them would be swept away (Jer. 8:13).

Jer. 8:13 I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. (KJV)

I will surely consume them, saith the LORD . . . consume here means gather . . . God shall certainly gather or harvest them. The meaning of this verse is unclear. The idea may be that since the nation had failed to yield the desired fruit, its destruction was at hand.

The Invaders Approach (Jer.8:14-17)

Jer. 8:14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. (KJV)

Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves . . . let us enter the defensed cities, let us go to places of greater security (Mat.24:16-18) . . . possibly they thought they might be secured there, as they had been before the time of Sennacherib (Isa.36:1).
And let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there . . . let us be silent and keep close within our walls, and say or do nothing to provoke the enemy; but sit and mourn how desperate our condition is (Lam.3:28-29).
For the LORD our God hath put us to silence . . . they now begin to see that the Hand of God is in all this, and so they have nothing to say. God had put them to shame: He had not given them courage to oppose the Babylonians. Their hearts fail them, they are as men in a great terror and dread.
And given us water of gall to drink . . . water of gall or poison; probably the name of some poisonous herb, with the juice or infusion of which they were accustomed to kill people, such as hemlock and wormwood (Pro.5:3-5; Hos.10:4; Am. 5:7; 6:12; Rev.8:11). It states the bitter destructive judgments that were to come.
Because we have sinned against the LORD . . . God was bringing upon them, that which did spring up from that bitter root of their sinning against Him. Jer. 9:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink. (KJV)

Jer. 8:15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble! (KJV)

We looked for peace, but no good came . . . their false prophets persuaded them that they would have peace, but it did not come (Jer.14:19).
And for a time of health, and behold trouble! . . . they expected a time of good health according to their prophets, but instead nothing but trouble! They found themselves utterly deceived by the false prophets. They saw no remedy (Lam.4:17). Miseries and troubles are often in Scripture compared to diseases (Isa.53:4; Mat.8:17), and deliverances to healing (Deut. 32:39; Ps.103:3; Jer.33:6).

Jer. 8:16 The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan: the whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones; for they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it; the city, and those that dwell therein. (KJV)

The snorting of his horses was heard from Dan . . . the fury of the Chaldeans' march is described by the snorting of their horses, when they are annoyed and bothered. Was heard from Dan, even to Jerusalem . . . The horror of the noise shall be heard from far off as it comes from the north boundary of Canaan (Jer.4:15). The fame of it is said to be heard (Jer.6:24).
The whole land trembled at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones . . . his strong ones; his stout and sturdy ones, as the word signifies, and is expressed by their brisk frolics and courage in the word neighing, properly applied to horses. The word for strong ones is applied to anything that excels, as to man (Job 34:20); to angels (Ps.78:25), angels' food, or the bread of the mighty; and for horses, as here, and (Jdg.5:22; Jer.47:3).
For they are come, and have devoured the land, and all that is in it . . . all that is in it, meaning the trees, fruits and wealth of the land. They enter upon their spoil, and will leave nothing in the land (Jer.4:20). It is to express the certainty of what shall be.
And those that dwell therein . . . the cities, with all their inhabitants, as well as the country, the singular number being put for the plural (Isa.27:10).

Jer. 8:17 For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you, which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD. (KJV)

For, behold, I will send serpents, cockatrices, among you . . . God proceeds in increasing their terror. There will be no pacifying or calming of their fury by any way. Serpents and cockatrices represent the enemy where no appeal can be made (Isa.11:8). Deadly serpents that shall bite them, afflicting them with sore punishments, not only stings in their tails, as scorpions, but in their teeth, whereby they shall devour you (Jer.8:16).
Which will not be charmed, and they shall bite you, saith the LORD . . . showing what kind of serpent they shall be, a kind that cannot be charmed, such an enemy which by no means could an plea be made (Isa.11:8).

The Sorrow of the Prophet is Recorded (Jer. 8:18-22)

Jer. 8:18 When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me. (KJV)

This is the lamentation of Jeremiah for the approaching calamity of his country. (Isa.22:4). The prophet seems to speak of his own resentment, on how greatly the calamity of his people affected him (Isa.22:4). When he would at times refresh himself with the comfortable refreshments of nature, the thoughts of his people's misery afflicted him, that his heart feels it would sink within him.

Jer. 8:19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country: Is not the LORD in Zion? is not her king in her? Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? (KJV)

Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people . . . the extent of their cry, the bitter cries, screams and moans that Jeremiah hear, seem to tear him apart. Because Jeremiah loved them, he instructed them and warned them as a daughter (Jer.4:11).  
Because of them that dwell in a far country . . . their enemies, the Babylonians, that were to come against them from a far country (Jer.6:22).
Is not the LORD in Zion? . . . in Zion, in Jerusalem.
Is not her king in her? . . . have we not a king of the seed of David, to whom the kingdom was granted to be perpetual? Was not God among them, to provide for them, and protect them? Yes, He had been . . . but they decided to run to idols (2 Ki.1:3).
Why have they provoked me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities? . . . why have they provoked Me with strange vanities? It is as if God seems to answer here, Let them not think it strange, seeing they have turned their backs on Me, and trusted their idols, which are only vanity (Jer.2:11, 13). Called vanity, not only because idols are as nothing, but because all the confidence that is put them is vain, and because idolaters are vain in their minds, and lack understanding. God did NOT forsake them, they had forsaken God!

Jer. 8:20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. (KJV)

The harvest is past, the summer is ended . . . the harvest is past, not unlike Jer. 8:15. The year is gone, and we are still frustrated in our expectations, the time that we expected help from Egypt (Isa.30:2-3, 5). The siege of Jerusalem lasted two years; Nebuchadnezzar came against it in the ninth year of Zedekiah, and the city was taken in the eleventh (2 Ki. 25:1-3).
And we are not saved . . . by the Egyptians, or any other confederates.

*****The time of their visitation is the same as the harvest and the summer (Jer.8:20). This time of year is found five times (Jer. 8:12; 10:15; 46:21; 50:27; 51:18). Such visitation is found elsewhere only in (Isa. 10:3; Hos. 9:7; Mic.7:4; Lk.19:44; 1Pet 2:12). God had given them a definite time in which to repent, and they refused to do so; therefore, judgment had to fall. This time would be the time when all grapes would be reaped, with none left on the vine, and when there would be no figs on the trees because of the army of invaders. All that God had given them would be swept away (Jer. 8:13).

Jer. 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. (KJV)

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt . . . the prophet shows how deeply he is affected with the people's misery, because they were his people, and he had deep pity for them. The hurt indicates a breach, a break . . . I am broken in my spirit; and so it answers to the breach that is made upon the people.
I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me . . . Jeremiah was as those that are clothed in deep mourning (Ps.38:6; Jer.14:2). He was stunned to think that his people would sin beyond help, with no remedy left for them, being that no threats or counsels would be victorious with them.

Jer. 8:22 Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (KJV)

Is there no balm in Gilead . . . Gilead was well-known for balm (Gen. 43:11; Jer.46:11). Balm is contracted from Balsam, a general name for many oily or resinous substances which flow or trickle from certain trees or plants when an incision is made through the bark. The nature is to dissolve hardness, to clear and close up wounds.
Is there no physician there? . . . in a country where there were abundant remedies, by which their cures might be eased.
Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? . . . recovered (2 Chron.24:13), the work was perfected. The healing went up upon the work (Neh. 4:7). Some understand this by way of sarcasm . . . where are your medicines, your arms, your counsels, your confederates? Where are your physicians, your princes and priests, which promised you relief?

*****Is there no balm in Gilead? Yes, the best in the world. Is there no physician there? Yes, there were persons well skilled to apply it. Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? They die because they will not use the remedy. The Israelites are represented as a man dying through disease; and a disease for the cure of which the balm of Gilead was well known to be a specific, when judiciously applied by a physician. But although there be balm and a physician, the people are not cured; neither are their spiritual nor political evils removed. But what does all this mean spiritually? The people are morally diseased; they have sinned against God, and provoked Him to destroy them. They are warned by the prophet to repent and turn to God, but they refuse, and simply continue on in sin. Destruction is come upon them. Could they have avoided it? Yes. Was it God’s fault? No. He lovingly sent His prophets with the richest offers of His mercy! Did he not give them sufficient time, the best instructions, and the most effective means of returning to him? Had not His mercy, the heavenly balm, always been at hand . . . and has not God, the great Physician, always been ever ready to apply it? Yes. Then why are they not converted and healed? Because they would not apply to medicine the Divine Physician prescribed, nor did they receive the only remedy by which they could be spiritually healed (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12). It is not because there is a lack of God’s grace, that men are not saved; it is because they make no use, or a bad use, of His grace. Christ Jesus, by the grace of God, has tasted death for every man; but only a meager few are saved (Mat.7:13-14), because they refuse to come to Him that they may have life. How shall they escape who neglect so great a salvation? Dear one, please consider this and know, while there is still time, go to the Great Physician, for it is only JESUS that can give you eternal life in Heaven! Only JESUS can cure you spiritually!

Special Comments

Old Testament Tests for False Prophets

In the Old Testament, different signs or works pointed to a true or false prophet. Many of these can be applied today.

<><><>Does the prophet use fortune-telling? All forms of divination was specifically forbidden by God (Deut.18:9-14). NO true teacher or prophet would use fortune-telling or have any dealings with spirits of the dead (Jer.14:14; Eze.12:24; Mic.3:7).

<><><>Have the prophet's short-term prophecies been fulfilled? (Deut.18:22) used this as a test. Do predictions come to pass? If not, stay away!!!

<><><>Does the prophet speak only what pleases people? Many false prophets told people what they wanted to hear. All people go to Heaven is NOT true! There certainly IS a Hell, and the vast majority (Mat.7:13-14), shall be sentenced to that place. A true prophet serves God, not people (Jer. 8:11; 14:13; 23:17; Eze.13:10; Mic.3:5).

<><><>Does the prophet draw people away from God? Many teachers (then and now) draw people to themselves or to the church they have built (Deut.13:1-3), not to the Saviour.

<><><>Does the prophet's prophecy confirm the Bible's main teaching that salvation is ONLY by Christ Jesus? (Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12). If a prophecy is not consistent with or opposes the Holy Word ofGod, it is NOT to be believed.

<><><>What is the prophet's moral character? False prophets were charged with lying (Jer. 8:10; 14:14), drunkenness (Isa.28:7), and immorality (Jer.23:14).

<><><>Does the prophet speak of God’s Holy wrath, judgment and Hell . . . or does he speak only of Heaven? (2 Chron.36:16; Ps.78:31; Eze.22:31; Jn. 3:36; Rom.1:18; 2:5;
Eph.5:6; Col.3:6; Rev.14:19, 15:1, 7; 16:1, 19; 19:15; 20:15)

Book of Jeremiah

Jer.Ch.1 . . Jer.Ch.2 . . Jer.Ch.3 . . Jer.Ch.4 . . Jer.Ch.5 . . Jer.Ch.6 . . Jer.Ch.7 . . Jer.Ch.8 . . Jer.Ch.9 . . Jer.Ch.10 . . Jer.Ch.11 . . Jer.Ch.12 . . Jer.Ch.13 . . Jer.Ch,14 . . Jer.Ch.15 . . Jer.Ch.16 . . Jer.Ch.17 . . Jer.Ch.18 . . Jer.Ch.19 . . Jer.Ch.20 . . Jer.Ch.21 . . Ch.22 . . Ch.23 . . Ch.24 . . Ch.25 . . Ch.26 . . Ch.27 . . Ch.28 . . Ch.29 . . Ch.30 . . Ch.31 . . Ch.32 . . Ch.33 . . Ch.34 . . Ch.35 . . Ch.36 . . Ch.37 . . Ch.38 . . Ch.39 . . Ch.40 . . Ch.41 . . Ch.42 . . Ch.43 . . Ch.44 . . Ch.45 . Ch.46 . . Ch.47 . . Ch.48 . . Ch.49 . . Ch. 50 . . Ch.51 . . Ch.52 . . Jer. End Times Signs . . Jer. Special Commemnts . . . Home Page