Jeremiah 23:17
They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.
Jeremiah 23:17
This verse continues the critique of false prophets. “They say still unto them that despise me” refers to those who reject God’s authority or refuse to follow Him, typically labeled as scorners or those who turn away from covenant faithfulness. The prophets reassure these despisers with a message of peace: “The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace.” In Jeremiah’s context, such peace is often a counterfeit that discourages repentance and obedience, allowing people to maintain their sinful patterns under the guise of divine consent. The pivot line—“they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you”—exposes the root problem: moral license under a veneer of divine endorsement. The cultural reality is that prophets could be influenced by political or economic pressures, delivering comforting visions that propped up the status quo rather than challenging it. Jeremiah’s audience is tempted to believe comforting assurances rather than confronting sin, which would invite judgment.
The verse highlights God’s desire for faithful, not flattering, speech. It underscores the tension between perceived peace and true peace that comes from alignment with God’s will. False prophets manipulate hope to anesthetize conviction; genuine prophetic voices provoke repentance. Theologically, this shows God’s fidelity to His people even when they are resistant. Peace from God is not a blanket absence of trouble but a call to righteousness that transcends circumstances. The verse also signals the moral hazard of “internal” religion—believing that as long as one adheres to a personal sense of right, one escapes judgment. Scripture consistently argues that moral accountability is tied to allegiance to God’s revealed will, not private spiritual preferences.
Today, assurances like “you’ll have peace” can be a red flag when they ignore ongoing injustice, personal rebellion, or systemic harm. If a message prioritizes comfort over repentance or conformity to Scriptural justice, test it. Practical steps: examine whether claims align with the broader arc of Scripture about justice, mercy, and repentance; be wary of spiritual slogans that justify selfish or destructive behavior; seek out teachers who challenge you toward holiness rather than validate your preferences. Recognize that true peace often requires confrontation with uncomfortable truths, not the denial of reality.
Cross-References: Jeremiah 6:14; Ezekiel 13:10-16; Matthew 7:15-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:3