Chief
Chief of Sinners.
In Jeremiah 23:25, the Lord confronts self‑styled prophets: “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’”. In other words, false prophets in Judah brazenly claimed divine dreams as revelations. Yet, as John Gill observes, these imposters believed God was far off, “neither saw, nor heard, nor took any notice” of their schemes – a tragic mistake, for “He heard and observed with indignation the false doctrines and lying prophecies”. God’s omniscience means no deceit escapes Him. Jeremiah’s words expose the danger: self‑proclaimed prophecy can lure people away from truth, but it has no authority before God. As we examine this verse, both Old and New Testament passages warn of counterfeit prophecy, and our goal will be to discern true prophecy by grounding our faith in God’s revealed Word.
The Lord contrasts these “dreamers” with true prophets. In verse 28 God says, “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully”. In other words, dreams can be shared as personal experiences, but a true messenger of God’s word must speak God’s word faithfully. The analogy continues: “What is the chaff to the wheat?” – false prophecy (chaff) has no value compared to God’s genuine word (wheat). God’s word itself is then depicted as powerful: “Is not My word like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”. This fiery image reminds believers that God’s revelation consumes falsehood. False prophets offer smooth, comforting messages, but God’s Word often pierces and judges sin.
Matthew Henry aptly summarizes Jeremiah’s point: no one can hide from God. He warns, “Men cannot be hidden from God’s all-seeing eye” and emphasizes the vast difference between these deceptive prophecies and true ones. Henry urges that people “not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles,” for “the promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God’s promises than chaff to wheat”. In short, dreams and wishful thinking are worthless beside the living Word. Henry goes on to liken the human heart to a rock: if God’s Word does not melt or crush that heart like fire or hammer, false comforts will instead harden it. Thus Jeremiah 23:25-29 contrasts cheap, man‑made “prophecy” with the pure Word of God, exposing the fraudulence of claiming divine dreams.
Exposition of Jeremiah 23:25
In context, God is indicting prophets who falsely speak in His name. The phrase “I have dreamed” was a common way to claim divine revelation (cf. Num.12:6; Joel 2:28), but here it’s commandeered deceitfully. John Gill explains that these false prophets “in imitation of the true ones, and in order to gain credit from the people, pretended they had a dream from the Lord”. They recited “I have dreamed” with affected solemnity, to make men “raise their attention as to something very uncommon and extraordinary.” Behind the scenes, though, they fabricated visions to suit their own desires. No one among the people could easily disprove someone’s private dream – as Gill notes, “no man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of a man” – yet God, who “is omniscient and omnipresent”, knew these prophets were lying.The Lord contrasts these “dreamers” with true prophets. In verse 28 God says, “The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully”. In other words, dreams can be shared as personal experiences, but a true messenger of God’s word must speak God’s word faithfully. The analogy continues: “What is the chaff to the wheat?” – false prophecy (chaff) has no value compared to God’s genuine word (wheat). God’s word itself is then depicted as powerful: “Is not My word like a fire, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?”. This fiery image reminds believers that God’s revelation consumes falsehood. False prophets offer smooth, comforting messages, but God’s Word often pierces and judges sin.
Matthew Henry aptly summarizes Jeremiah’s point: no one can hide from God. He warns, “Men cannot be hidden from God’s all-seeing eye” and emphasizes the vast difference between these deceptive prophecies and true ones. Henry urges that people “not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles,” for “the promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God’s promises than chaff to wheat”. In short, dreams and wishful thinking are worthless beside the living Word. Henry goes on to liken the human heart to a rock: if God’s Word does not melt or crush that heart like fire or hammer, false comforts will instead harden it. Thus Jeremiah 23:25-29 contrasts cheap, man‑made “prophecy” with the pure Word of God, exposing the fraudulence of claiming divine dreams.
Biblical Warnings on False Prophets
Scripture repeatedly condemns self‑appointed prophets and teaches us to rely on God’s Word alone. Key passages include:- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – Moses warns Israel that “the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name... that prophet shall die”. Moreover, “when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen…the prophet has spoken it presumptuously”. In other words, a true prophet’s word must come true; a false prophet incurs God’s judgment.
- Jeremiah 14:14 – God tells Jeremiah, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I did not send them… They are prophesying to you a false vision”. This echoes 23:25: God disavows false prophets claiming His authority.
- Ezekiel 13:1-7,16 – Here the Lord pronounces, “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing… They say, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace”. They blindly say “Thus says the Lord,” but Ezekiel clarifies “the LORD has not sent them”. These “foolish prophets” fabricate hope that leads people astray, just as Jeremiah condemns.
- Jeremiah 23:30-32 – Even in the same chapter, God reiterates His stance: “I am against the prophets… who prophesy false dreams… Yet I did not send them, nor command them… they shall not profit this people”. False dreams yield no spiritual gain.
- Matthew 7:15-20 – Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves… You will know them by their fruits”. Notably, Christ emphasizes discernment: good or bad “fruit” (teaching and conduct) reveals true prophets.
- 2 Peter 2:1-3 – Peter observes that after Pentecost “there will also be false prophets among the people”. Such teachers “secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Lord”. Like Jeremiah’s false dreamers, they exploit the flock for gain. Peter’s point is that claiming prophecy does not excuse doctrinal error – every prophecy must accord with Christ.
- 1 John 4:1 – The Apostle John plainly instructs, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are from God”. This echoes Deut.18:22’s idea: each claimed message must be weighed.
Lessons for You and I
From these passages we draw these key lessons:- God Sees and Hears All – No prophecy escapes God’s knowledge. Jeremiah reminds us that He “fills heaven and earth” and “he has heard what the prophets say”. Secret or public, true or false prophecy is always known to Him. Thus, spiritual deception may fool people, but never God. Believers should live in reverence of this truth, confessing we cannot hide anything from Him (cf. Jer.23:24).
- Distinguish Chaff from Wheat – There is a radical difference between God’s word and human lies. Matthew Henry urges us not to equate “foolish dreams” with Divine oracles, noting “the promises of peace these prophets make are…chaff to wheat”. False prophets often promise comfort and prosperity (“peace, peace!”), but God’s true promises (like justice and salvation through Christ) are like precious grain. When a message sounds too smooth, flattering, or reassuring, test it: does it align with God’s revealed will? Henry adds, “the word of God is no smooth, lulling, deceitful message. And by its faithfulness it may certainly be distinguished from false doctrines”. In practice, if a prophecy contradicts Scripture or calls us to sin, it is chaff, not wheat.
- Measure by True Prophetic Marks – Scripture provides fruit tests. Jesus said a prophet’s fruit (the evidence of life and outcomes) will show its source. For instance, false prophets in Jeremiah’s day often preached what people wanted to hear (an end to exile). In contrast, true prophets sometimes delivered hard messages (warning of judgment). The Holy Spirit never contradicts Scripture or leads to sin, so “test the spirits” by both Scripture and godly discernment.
- Beware of Sensationalism – Jeremiah’s false prophets abused dreams. Today, believers must also be cautious of dreams, visions or “words of knowledge” that come without accountability. While God can speak through dreams (as in Scripture), any purported dream-message that goes against the clear teachings of the Bible is suspect. Never elevate personal experience above God’s Word.
Application for Today
How do we apply Jeremiah 23:25’s warning in our own lives?- Anchor in God’s Word. Make the Bible your foundation. The Bible aligns with the prophets and the apostles; thus, we regard prophetic and apostolic teaching as the ultimate authority and accept the entire Bible as our guide. Regular Bible study, memorization and meditation keep you rooted so that any new message is filtered through Scripture.
- Test Prophetic Claims. In church or personally, do not swallow every prophecy. Follow Paul’s counsel: “Let two or three prophets speak… and let the others weigh” (1 Cor.14:29). Encourage a culture where prophetic words are openly discussed and held up to Scripture. Use the Spirit-given gifts of wisdom and discernment. Remember 1 John 4:1 and 1 Thess. 5:20-21 – “Don’t despise prophecies. Test everything; hold on to what is good”. If a word does not match the gospel or contradicts clear biblical teaching, reject it.
- Pray for Wisdom and Community – Seek God’s guidance in prayer (James 1:5). Testimony: God gave you the Spirit of truth (John 14:17; 16:13) to discern truth, but also ordained the church community for mutual discernment. Consult mature Christian mentors or leaders before acting on any unusual prophecy or dream. The Bereans “examined the Scriptures daily” to check Paul’s words (Acts 17:11). We should do likewise.
- Value Christ Over Signs. The ultimate “prophet” in our faith is Christ Himself (Deut.18:15). Everything else points to Him and His Word. Jesus warned that false signs could deceive even the elect (Mt.24:24). The real signs God promised (e.g. the fruit of the Spirit, transformed life) accompany truth, not wild claims. Focus on obedience to Jesus and His teachings, not the latest sensational revelation.