NOTES for Jer 23:1-40

The word that comes from God may be the most precious thing a person possesses: it reveals the deepest meaning of one's life and reveals God coming to meet humanity. Without it, the world sinks into the meaninglessness and banality of its own words. Unfortunately, however, the need to hear God's voice and receive from Him a message about His will can be exploited. Is this not why all kinds of “dream books,” horoscopes, and every imaginable form of fortune-telling have always been so popular? A person thirsts for revelation but receives a wretched substitute produced by “prophets and priests” (healers, sorcerers, magicians...) who, just as in Jeremiah's time, use God's name for their own ends. The prophet is comforted by the knowledge that a time will come when everyone will share in this Word. This is already possible—and whoever seeks will surely find.