Before Reading.
- Centering prayer— Pray for illumination, “Lord, open my heart and mind by the power of the Holy Spirit,” and remain in silence.
Reading.
- Read slowly, keeping any words or phrase that come to your mind, and mark on them.
- Close eyes and meditate on what you read.
- Take a note if you have question, inspiration.
Read Jeremiah 23
The Righteous branch and lying prophets
Overview.
God reproached three leaderships of Judah and Israel, shepherds (rulers), priests and prophets.
Shepherds destroyed and scattered the sheep (people). They neglected to care the people. So God would punish them. God promised to establish a righteous ruler, branch, a member of King David’s line over a restored nation. He will rule the nation before God as a new king.
Priests and Prophets were guardians of nation’s faith. But they were lying before God making false prophecy following an evil course, manipulating their power, prophesying by idol, Baal. In words they were worse than the prophets of Baal. In deed they were worse than the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. They misled God’s people.
God’s anger was at the lying prophets. God uttered the cry of the suffering people. God’s punishment against the priests and false prophets was this: God would forget them, casting them out of God’s presence. God would bring them everlasting disgrace and shame.
God commanded Jeremiah to bring these oracles to the rulers, priests, and prophets of Judah and Israel.
Reflection.
1. What does this passage tell you about God?
2. What does this passage tell you about people.?
3. What does this passage tell you about yourself and God’s will for you?
