The message we share…

Jeremiah is instructed to bring God’s message to the current king of Judah. It’s the same message as it’s always been. As it always will be.

This is what the Lord says: do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.  Jeremiah 22:3

The current king Shallum doesn’t get it. His father Josiah did. Josiah prospered. Shallum is now in exile and will never see his land again.

‘He did what was right and just,
so all went well with him.
He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?’
declares the Lord.  Jeremiah 22:15-16

This is what it means to know God. The role we play within our communities and how we treat other people. That’s it.

The days are coming when God will send someone to show the kings how it’s done.

‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord,
‘when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.’  Jeremiah 23:5-6

Many of the prophets and priests are getting it wrong. They’re leading the people astray. They’re abusing their power over the people. They know people will listen to them and do what they say and they’re taking advantage of that. They’re drawing the people away from God rather than towards Him. Any church leader or writer or anyone who has the respect of others and is listened to has an enormous responsibility to seek God and to get it right. To be really careful what they say. To lead others to God and not away. All will be accountable to God for how they have influenced others in their walk with God. God sees it all. God hears it all.

‘They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?’ declares the Lord. ‘Is not my word like fire,’ declares the Lord, ‘and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?  Jeremiah 23:27-29

Nothing can stand against the word of God. Nothing stands a chance against God’s truth. There is no comparison.

So be careful when claiming to be relaying what God wants or what God is saying to His people.

But you must not mention “a message from the Lord” again, because each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the Lord Almighty, our God.  Jeremiah 23:36

Trying to convey God’s message is a massive, massive responsibility.

So be wary of the phrase ‘God has told me to…’. Be wary of using it yourself. Be wary of others using it.

God’s word is powerful. Be careful how you use it.