Jer 23:39 | KingComments | STEP | Jeremiah is told by the LORD that the possibility exists that this people or a prophet or a priest will come to him to ask him about the oracle or burden of the LORD ( ). A burden a prophet must carry is the message the LORD has placed on his heart (cf. ; ; ). They want to know what the LORD wants from them, what burden He is putting on them. But it is a hypocritical question. The LORD knows their hearts, that they do not want to do His will at all. Therefore, Jeremiah must say with indignation in his voice: “What burden?” By doing so, he lets them know that he rejects their question. Next, he must say that the LORD will abandon them. By this he indicates that they themselves are a burden to the LORD, a burden that He will cast off. With that answer the questioners will not be satisfied. They will throw in another tack and then take up the words themselves that to them is given “a burden from the LORD” ( ; ). In doing so, they claim that they have a command from Him. The LORD will turn against them and punish them. What they should do is ask one another what the LORD has answered or spoken ( ). Likewise, we are to ask one another what is written in God’s Word and not what brother so and so has said, although faithful brothers who have an understanding of God’s Word may be asked for their explanation of a particular verse. What they should no longer do is think that others can tell them what the burden of the LORD is ( ). It is about having their own relationship with Him. The liars will bear their own burden. They have their own responsibility and will receive the punishment for their perverting of “the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God”. This impressive portrayal of God does show how seriously He takes what people who claim to speak on His behalf do with His Word. It is surely one of the worst things that can happen to a person if his words are perverted. It is one of the greatest responsibilities of someone who is giving a statement of God’s Word not to distort in the slightest way the words of the living God (cf. ). Again Jeremiah is told what to say to the false prophet to bring him into the light of God ( ). The false prophet will fall through because of the questions of God’s prophet. Jeremiah has no desire to know what the man dreamed, but he wants to know what the LORD answered that prophet and what the LORD said to him. So when that prophet does come up with the words “the burden of the LORD”, it is proof that he is a disobedient prophet ( ). Indeed, the LORD has clearly given the message not to say that. Therefore, the judgment comes that He will forget them altogether ( ). He will forsake the city that He gave to their fathers. On them He will lay an everlasting reproach and humiliation that will not be forgotten ( ). People will always remember them as false prophets. That is the only appropriate judgment because they are out to make the people forget the LORD. That severe is the judgment on those who pervert God’s words and disobey what He says.

‏ Jeremiah 23:39

The Oracle [or: Burden] of the LORD

Jeremiah is told by the LORD that the possibility exists that this people or a prophet or a priest will come to him to ask him about the oracle or burden of the LORD (Jer 23:33). A burden a prophet must carry is the message the LORD has placed on his heart (cf. Isa 13:1 ; Isa 14:28; Nah 1:1; Hab 1:1). They want to know what the LORD wants from them, what burden He is putting on them. But it is a hypocritical question. The LORD knows their hearts, that they do not want to do His will at all.

Therefore, Jeremiah must say with indignation in his voice: “What burden?” By doing so, he lets them know that he rejects their question. Next, he must say that the LORD will abandon them. By this he indicates that they themselves are a burden to the LORD, a burden that He will cast off.

With that answer the questioners will not be satisfied. They will throw in another tack and then take up the words themselves that to them is given “a burden from the LORD” (Jer 23:34; Lam 2:14). In doing so, they claim that they have a command from Him. The LORD will turn against them and punish them.

What they should do is ask one another what the LORD has answered or spoken (Jer 23:35). Likewise, we are to ask one another what is written in God’s Word and not what brother so and so has said, although faithful brothers who have an understanding of God’s Word may be asked for their explanation of a particular verse.

What they should no longer do is think that others can tell them what the burden of the LORD is (Jer 23:36). It is about having their own relationship with Him. The liars will bear their own burden. They have their own responsibility and will receive the punishment for their perverting of “the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our God”. This impressive portrayal of God does show how seriously He takes what people who claim to speak on His behalf do with His Word.

It is surely one of the worst things that can happen to a person if his words are perverted. It is one of the greatest responsibilities of someone who is giving a statement of God’s Word not to distort in the slightest way the words of the living God (cf. 2Pet 3:16).

Again Jeremiah is told what to say to the false prophet to bring him into the light of God (Jer 23:37). The false prophet will fall through because of the questions of God’s prophet. Jeremiah has no desire to know what the man dreamed, but he wants to know what the LORD answered that prophet and what the LORD said to him.

So when that prophet does come up with the words “the burden of the LORD”, it is proof that he is a disobedient prophet (Jer 23:38). Indeed, the LORD has clearly given the message not to say that. Therefore, the judgment comes that He will forget them altogether (Jer 23:39). He will forsake the city that He gave to their fathers. On them He will lay an everlasting reproach and humiliation that will not be forgotten (Jer 23:40). People will always remember them as false prophets. That is the only appropriate judgment because they are out to make the people forget the LORD. That severe is the judgment on those who pervert God’s words and disobey what He says.