Jeremiah 23:33-40 - Homilies By A.f. Muir

Despising prophesyings.

I. THE HONOR OF GOD IS BOUND UP WITH HIS WORD .

1. It expresses his character . A careful, gradual unfolding of himself in his attributes and personal relations.

2. It declares his will .

The prophecies of God with his promises and appeals.

3. In its loftiest embodiment—Jesus Christ—it is identified with himself . ( John 1:1 .)

II. HE WILL NOT SUFFER IT TO BE TREATED LIGHTLY . To do so would be to court contempt, if not to condone the offence. As a sign of his displeasure:

1. He will give the false prophets another message to deliver . This is said satirically ( Jeremiah 23:33 ); their circumstances will prove that the true message is not one of acceptance but of rejection. The whole nation will be thrust out of covenant relationship.

2. Special penalties will be inflicted upon particular offenders . ( Jeremiah 23:34 .) Handling the Word of God deceitfully will bring upon a man evident tokens of the Divine displeasure.

3. The word " burden " itself will have a new and fearful significance . It was a spiritual offence to talk about "burdens" so lightly. People to whom the true message of God had no awful impressiveness would be taught reverence and fear by that which he would inflict upon them. It would be a true "burden," not so readily got rid of ( Jeremiah 23:39 , Jeremiah 23:40 ).—M.