In Jeremiah, chapter twenty-nine, verse twenty-three, “Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and I am a witness, saith the Lord.” God considers it outrageous to proclaim His message and, at the same time, to commit adultery and other immoral acts. For this reason, the two prophets Ahab and Zedekiah, as in verse twenty-one of this theme chapter, would be put to death before all the people. Church leaders today who proclaim God’s Word while living in adultery will also have to face His severe judgment.
Jeremiah foretells judgments upon the false prophets, who deceive the people of God in Babylon. Lying was bad, lying to the people of the Lord to delude them into a false hope was worse; but pretending to rest their own lies upon the God of truth was worst of all.
They flattered others with their sins because they could not reprove them without condemning themselves. The most secret sins are known to God, and there is a day coming when He will bring to light all the hidden works of darkness.
Shemaiah urges the priests to persecute Jeremiah. Their hearts are wretchedly hardened who justify doing mischief by having the power to do it. They were in a miserable thraldom for mocking the messengers of the Lord, and misusing the prophets, yet in their distresses they trespass still more against the Lord. Afflictions will not of themselves cure men of their sins, unless the grace of God works with them. Those who slight the blessings deserve to lose the benefit of God’s word, as did Shemaiah. Believers should wait for the performance of God’s promises in His appointed way.