Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 5:31
The verse closes a section by naming the three-fold problem: prophets prophesying falsely, priests ruling by their own means, and the people loving it that way. The prophetic critique targets spiritual leadership that manipulatively aligns with popular opinion and expediency, enabling continued injustice. The people’s preference for comfortable error shows how a culture becomes addicted to comforting illusions rather than challenging truth. It sets the stage for vivid warnings about the end results of such choices.
This verse highlights accountability for religious leaders and the dangers of a people enamored with easy, flattering messages. It underscores the covenantal demand for truth in leadership and worship. It also foreshadows the long arc of prophetic counter-speech—true prophecy that challenges and reforms.
Ask: Are leaders and institutions you trust truly speaking truth, or selling comfort at the expense of justice? Do you enable or challenge falsehoods through silence or complicity? Practical steps: support transparent leadership, seek diverse sources of counsel, and encourage prophetic honesty in church and community life. If you’ve benefited from false narratives, practice confession, correction, and recommitment to truth-telling and justice.
Cross-References: Jeremiah 14:14-15; Ezekiel 22:25; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21