Jeremiah 23

The Coming Messiah: the Righteous Branch

1 "¹Woe to the shepherds who are ²destroying and scattering the ³sheep of My pasture!" declares the LORD.

2 Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to ⁴attend to you for the ⁵evil of your deeds," declares the LORD.

3 "Then I Myself will ⁶gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where * I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.

4 "I will also raise up ⁷shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will ⁸not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, ⁹nor will any be missing," declares the LORD

5 "Behold, the ¹⁰days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous ¹¹Branch; And He will ¹²reign as king and act wisely And ¹³do justice and righteousness in the land.

6 "In His days Judah will be saved, And ¹⁴Israel will dwell securely; And this is His ¹⁵name by which He will be called, 'The ¹⁶LORD our righteousness.'

7 "¹⁷Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when they will no longer say, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,'

8 ¹⁸but, 'As the LORD lives, who ¹⁹brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where * I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil."

False Prophets Denounced

9 As for the prophets: My ²⁰heart is broken within me, All my bones tremble; I have become like a drunken man, Even like a man overcome with wine, Because * of the LORD And because * of His holy words.

10 For the land is full of ²¹adulterers; For the land ²²mourns because * of the curse. The ²³pastures of the wilderness have dried up. Their course also is evil And their might is not right.

11 "For ²⁴both prophet and priest are polluted; Even in My house I have found their wickedness," declares the LORD.

12 "Therefore their way will be like ²⁵slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the ²⁶gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring ²⁷calamity upon them, The year of their punishment," declares the LORD.

13 "Moreover, among the prophets of Samaria I saw an ²⁸offensive thing: They ²⁹prophesied by Baal and ³⁰led My people Israel astray.

14 "Also among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a ³¹horrible thing: The committing of ³²adultery and walking in falsehood; And they strengthen the hands of ³³evildoers, So that no one has turned back from his wickedness. All of them have become to Me like ³⁴Sodom, And her inhabitants like Gomorrah

15 "Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, 'Behold, I am going to ³⁵feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.' "

16 Thus says the LORD of hosts, "³⁶Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are prophesying to you. They are ³⁷leading you into futility; They speak a ³⁸vision of their own imagination, Not ³⁹from the mouth of the LORD.

17 "They keep saying to those who ⁴⁰despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "⁴¹You will have peace "'; And as for everyone who walks in the ⁴²stubbornness of his own heart, They say, '⁴³Calamity will not come upon you.'

18 "But ⁴⁴who has stood in the council of the LORD, That he should see and hear His word? Who has given ⁴⁵heed to His word and listened?

19 "Behold, the ⁴⁶storm of the LORD has gone forth in wrath, Even a whirling tempest; It will swirl down on the head of the wicked

20 "The ⁴⁷anger of the LORD will not turn back Until He has ⁴⁸performed and carried out the purposes of His heart; ⁴⁹In the last days you will clearly understand it.

21 "⁵⁰I did not send these prophets, But they ran. I did not speak to them, But they prophesied

22 "But if they had ⁵¹stood in My council, Then they would have ⁵²announced My words to My people, And would have turned them back from their evil way And from the evil of their deeds.

23 "Am I a God who is ⁵³near," declares the LORD, "And not a God far off *?

24 "Can a man ⁵⁴hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?" declares the LORD. "⁵⁵Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" declares the LORD.

25 "I have ⁵⁶heard what the prophets have said who ⁵⁷prophesy falsely in My name, saying, 'I had a ⁵⁸dream, I had a dream!'

26 "How long *? Is there anything in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, even these prophets of the ⁵⁹deception of their own heart,

27 who intend to ⁶⁰make My people forget My name by their dreams which they relate to one another, just as their fathers ⁶¹forgot My name because of Baal?

28 "The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has ⁶²My word speak My word in truth. ⁶³What does straw have in common with grain?" declares the LORD.

29 "Is not My word like ⁶⁴fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a ⁶⁵hammer which shatters a rock?

30 "Therefore behold, ⁶⁶I am against the prophets," declares the LORD, "who steal My words from each other.

31 "Behold, I am against the prophets," declares the LORD, "who use their tongues and declare, 'The Lord declares.'

32 "Behold, I am against those who have prophesied ⁶⁷false dreams," declares the LORD, "and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and ⁶⁸reckless boasting; yet ⁶⁹I did not send them or command them, nor do they ⁷⁰furnish this people the slightest benefit," declares the LORD.

33 "Now when this people or the prophet or a priest asks you saying, 'What is the ⁷¹oracle of the LORD?' then you shall say to them, 'What oracle?' The LORD declares, 'I will ⁷²abandon you.'

34 "Then as for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, 'The ⁷³oracle of the LORD,' I will bring punishment upon that man and his household.

35 "Thus will each of you say to his neighbor and to his brother, '⁷⁴What has the LORD answered?' or, 'What has the LORD spoken?'

36 "For you will no longer remember the oracle of the LORD, because every man's own word will become the oracle, and you have ⁷⁵perverted the words of the ⁷⁶living God, the LORD of hosts, our God

37 "Thus you will say to that prophet, 'What has the LORD answered you?' and, 'What has the LORD spoken?'

38 "For if you say, 'The oracle of the LORD!' surely thus says the LORD, 'Because you said this word, "The oracle of the LORD!" I have also sent to you, saying, "You shall not say, 'The oracle of the LORD!' "

39 "Therefore behold, ⁷⁷I will surely forget you and cast you away from My presence, along with the city which I gave you and your fathers.

40 "I will put an everlasting ⁷⁸reproach on you and an everlasting humiliation which will not be forgotten."

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Jeremiah 23 Commentary

Chapter 23

The restoration of the Jews to their own land. (1-8) The wickedness of the priests and prophets of Judah, The people exhorted not to listen to false promises. (9-22) The pretenders to inspiration threatened. (23-32) Also the scoffers at true prophecy. (33-40)

Verses 1-8 Woe be to those who are set to feed God's people, but take no concern to do them good! Here is a word of comfort to the neglected sheep. Though only a remnant of God's flock is left, he will find them out, and they shall be brought to their former habitations. Christ is spoken of as a branch from David's family. He is righteous himself, and through him all his people are made righteous. Christ shall break the usurped power of Satan. All the spiritual seed of believing Abraham and praying Jacob shall be protected, and shall be saved from the guilt and dominion of sin. In the days of Christ's government in the soul, the soul dwells at ease. He is here spoken of as "the Lord our Righteousness." He is so our Righteousness as no creature could be. His obedience unto death is the justifying righteousness of believers, and their title to heavenly happiness. And their sanctification, as the source of all their personal obedience is the effect of their union with him, and of the supply of this Spirit. By this name every true believer shall call him, and call upon him. We have nothing to plead but this, Christ has died, yea, rather is risen again; and we have taken him for our Lord. This righteousness which he has wrought out to the satisfaction of law and justice, becomes ours; being a free gift given to us, through the Spirit of God, who puts it upon us, clothes us with it, enables us to lay hold upon it, and claim an interest in it. "The Lord our Righteousness" is a sweet name to a convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it. This great salvation is far more glorious than all former deliverances of his church. May our souls be gathered to Him, and be found in him.

Verses 9-22 The false prophets of Samaria had deluded the Israelites into idolatries; yet the Lord considered the false prophets of Jerusalem as guilty of more horrible wickedness, by which the people were made bold in sin. These false teachers would be compelled to suffer the most bitter part of the Lord's indignation. They made themselves believe that there was no harm in sin, and practised accordingly; then they made others believe so. Those who are resolved to go on in evil ways, will justly be given up to believe strong delusions. But which of them had received any revelation of God, or understood any thing of his word? There was a time coming when they would reflect on their folly and unbelief with remorse. The teaching and example of the true prophets led men to repentance, faith, and righteousness. The false prophets led men to rest in forms and notions, and to be quiet in their sins. Let us take heed that we do not follow unrighteousness.

Verses 23-32 Men cannot be hidden from God's all-seeing eye. Will they never see what judgments they prepare for themselves? Let them consider what a vast difference there is between these prophecies and those delivered by the true prophets of the Lord. Let them not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles. The promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God's promises than chaff to wheat. The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock; if not melted by the word of God as a fire, it will be broken to pieces by it as a hammer. How can they be long safe, or at all easy, who have a God of almighty power against them? The word of God is no smooth, lulling, deceitful message. And by its faithfulness it may certainly be distinguished from false doctrines.

Verses 33-40 Those are miserable indeed who are forsaken and forgotten of God; and men's jesting at God's judgments will not baffle them. God had taken Israel to be a people near to him, but they shall now be cast out of his presence. It is a mark of great and daring impiety for men to jest with the words of God. Every idle and profane word will add to the sinner's burden in the day of judgment, when everlasting shame will be his portion.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 78

1. Ezekiel 13:3; Ezekiel 34:2; Zechariah 11:17
2. Isaiah 56:9-12; Jeremiah 10:21; Jeremiah 50:6
3. Ezekiel 34:31
4. Exodus 32:34
5. Jeremiah 21:12; Jeremiah 44:22
6. Is 11:11, 12, 16; Jeremiah 31:7, 8; Jeremiah 32:37
7. Jeremiah 3:15; Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:23
8. Jeremiah 30:10; Jeremiah 46:27, 28
9. John 6:39; John 10:28; 1 Peter 1:5
10. Jeremiah 33:14
11. Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 11:1-5; Isaiah 53:2; Jeremiah 30:9; Jeremiah 33:15, 16; Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12, 13
12. Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 52:13; Luke 1:32, 33
13. Psalms 72:2; Isaiah 9:7; Isaiah 32:1; Daniel 9:24
14. Deuteronomy 33:28; Jeremiah 30:10; Zechariah 14:11
15. Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23
16. Isaiah 45:24; Jeremiah 33:16; Daniel 9:24; Romans 3:22; 1 Corinthians 1:30
17. Isaiah 43:18, 19; Jeremiah 16:14, 15
18. Jeremiah 16:15
19. Isaiah 43:5, 6; Ezekiel 34:13; Amos 9:14, 15
20. Jeremiah 8:18; Habakkuk 3:16
21. Jeremiah 9:2; Hosea 4:2, 3; Malachi 3:5
22. Jeremiah 12:4
23. Psalms 107:34; Jeremiah 9:10
24. Jeremiah 6:13; Zephaniah 3:4
25. Psalms 35:6; Proverbs 4:19; Jeremiah 13:16
26. Isaiah 8:22; John 12:35
27. Jeremiah 11:23
28. Hosea 9:7, 8
29. 1 Kings 18:18-21; Jeremiah 2:8; Jeremiah 23:32
30. Isaiah 9:16
31. Jeremiah 5:30
32. Jeremiah 29:23
33. Jeremiah 23:22; Ezekiel 13:22, 23
34. Genesis 18:20; Deuteronomy 32:32; Isaiah 1:9, 10; Jeremiah 20:16; Jeremiah 49:18; Matthew 11:24
35. Deuteronomy 29:18; Jeremiah 8:14; Jeremiah 9:15
36. Jer 27:9, 10, 14-17; 1 John 4:1
37. Matthew 7:15; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Galatians 1:8, 9
38. Jeremiah 14:14; Ezekiel 13:3, 6
39. Jeremiah 9:12, 20
40. Micah 2:11
41. Jeremiah 8:11; Ezekiel 13:10
42. Jeremiah 13:10; Jeremiah 18:12
43. Jeremiah 5:12; Amos 9:10; Micah 3:11
44. Job 15:8, 9; Jeremiah 23:22; 1 Corinthians 2:16
45. Job 33:31
46. Jeremiah 25:32; Jeremiah 30:23; Amos 1:14
47. 2 Kings 23:26, 27; Jeremiah 30:24
48. Isaiah 55:11; Zechariah 1:6
49. Genesis 49:1
50. Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:32; Jeremiah 27:15
51. Jeremiah 9:12; Jeremiah 23:18
52. Jeremiah 35:15; Zechariah 1:4
53. Psalms 139:1-10
54. Job 22:13, 14; Job 34:21, 22; Psalms 139:7-12; Isaiah 29:15; Jeremiah 49:10; Hebrews 4:13
55. 1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6; Isaiah 66:1
56. Jeremiah 8:6; 1 Corinthians 4:5
57. Jeremiah 14:14
58. Numbers 12:6; Jeremiah 23:28, 32; Jeremiah 29:8; Joel 2:28
59. 1 Timothy 4:1, 2
60. Deuteronomy 13:1-3; Jeremiah 29:8
61. Judges 3:7; Judges 8:33, 34
62. Jeremiah 9:12, 20
63. 1 Corinthians 3:12, 13
64. Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 20:9
65. 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5
66. Deuteronomy 18:20; Psalms 34:16; Jeremiah 14:14, 15; Ezekiel 13:8
67. Deuteronomy 13:1, 2; Jeremiah 23:25
68. Zephaniah 3:4
69. Jeremiah 23:21; Lamentations 3:37
70. Jeremiah 7:8; Lamentations 2:14
71. Isaiah 13:1; Nahum 1:1; Habakkuk 1:1; Zechariah 9:1; Malachi 1:1
72. Jeremiah 12:7; Jeremiah 23:39
73. Lamentations 2:14; Zechariah 13:3
74. Jeremiah 33:3; Jeremiah 42:4
75. Galatians 1:7, 8; 2 Peter 3:16
76. 2 Kings 19:4; Jeremiah 10:10
77. Jeremiah 7:14, 15; Jeremiah 23:33; Ezekiel 8:18
78. Jeremiah 20:11; Jeremiah 42:18; Ezekiel 5:14, 15

Footnotes 8

[a]. Lit "shepherding"
[b]. Or "shepherd"
[c]. Lit "Sprout"
[d]. Or "succeed"
[e]. Lit "heart"
[f]. Another reading is "My"
[g]. Or "burden," and so throughout the ch
[h]. Or "burden," and so throughout the ch

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 23

This chapter contains threatenings to the Jewish governors, and to their priests and prophets, on account of their manifold sins; intermixed with gracious promises to the Lord's people, and particularly with a famous promise of the Messiah. The pastors or governors of Israel are charged with scattering and driving away the Lord's flock, for which they are threatened, Jer 23:1,2; and a promise is made of the gathering of the remnant of them, and of setting up other shepherds over them, under whom they should increase, and be comfortable, Jer 23:3,4; particularly the Messiah is promised; as David's righteous Branch; as a prosperous and righteous King; as the author of righteousness to his people, under whom they should have salvation and safety, Jer 23:5,6; so that in comparison of this salvation, the deliverance out of Egypt should not be spoken of, Jer 23:7,8; and then follows a sad complaint of the priests and prophets; of their profaneness, their adultery, swearing, lying, hypocrisy, and deception of the people; for all which they are severely threatened, Jer 23:9-15; wherefore the people are exhorted not to hearken to them, promising them peace and safety; whereas, by attending to the word of God, it might easily be seen that a storm of wrath was gone forth, and was ready to break, and would fall upon the head of the wicked, to the executing of the thoughts and purposes of God's heart, Jer 23:16-20; and the Lord declares he had not sent these prophets, as might be known from their not turning the people from their evil ways, Jer 23:21,22; whose conduct and behaviour could not be hid from the sight of the Lord, nor their prophecies from his ears, which were no other than dreams, and the deceits of their own hearts; and there was as great a difference between them and the word of the Lord, as between chaff and wheat; seeing his word in his hand is of great virtue and efficacy, whereas there was none in theirs, Jer 23:23-29; wherefore the Lord declares himself to be against these prophets, for stealing his word from their neighbour; for making use of his name, when they were not sent by him; and for causing the people to err by their lies, Jer 23:30-32; and both people, priest, and prophet, are severely threatened for jeering and scoffing at the word of the Lord, calling it the burden of the Lord; which phrase they are forbid to use in a sneering way; and should they persist in it, they are told that God would forsake and forget them, and cast them out, and everlastingly punish them, Jer 23:39,40.