Jeremías 23:7-17

7 Por tanto, he aquí, vienen díasdeclara el SEÑORcuando no dirán más: "Vive el SEÑOR, que hizo subir a los hijos de Israel de la tierra de Egipto",

8 sino: "Vive el SEÑOR que hizo subir y trajo a los descendientes de la casa de Israel de la tierra del norte y de todas las tierras adonde los había echado"; y habitarán en su propio suelo.

9 En cuanto a los profetas: quebrantado está mi corazón dentro de mí, tiemblan todos mis huesos; estoy como un ebrio, como un hombre a quien domina el vino, por causa del SEÑOR y por causa de sus santas palabras.

10 Porque la tierra está llena de adúlteros; porque a causa de la maldición se ha enlutado la tierra, se han secado los pastos del desierto. Pues es mala la carrera de ellos y su poderío no es recto.

11 Porque tanto el profeta como el sacerdote están corrompidos; aun en mi casa he hallado su maldaddeclara el SEÑOR.

12 Por tanto, su camino será para ellos como resbaladeros; a las tinieblas serán empujados y caerán en ellas; porque traeré sobre ellos calamidad el año de su castigodeclara el SEÑOR.

13 Además, entre los profetas de Samaria he visto algo ofensivo: profetizaban en nombre de Baal y extraviaban a mi pueblo Israel.

14 También entre los profetas de Jerusalén he visto algo horrible: cometían adulterio y andaban en mentiras; fortalecían las manos de los malhechores, sin convertirse ninguno de su maldad. Se me han vuelto todos ellos como Sodoma, y sus habitantes como Gomorra

15 Por tanto, así dice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos acerca de los profetas: "He aquí, les daré de comer ajenjo y les daré de beber agua envenenada, porque de los profetas de Jerusalén ha salido la corrupción por toda la tierra."

16 Así dice el SEÑOR de los ejércitos: No escuchéis las palabras de los profetas que os profetizan. Ellos os conducen hacia lo vano; os cuentan la visión de su propia fantasía, no de la boca del SEÑOR.

17 Dicen de continuo a los que me desprecian: "El SEÑOR ha dicho: 'Tendréis paz'"; y a todo el que anda en la terquedad de su corazón dicen: "No vendrá calamidad sobre vosotros."

Jeremías 23:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

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.