Daily Manna 21 March
MEMORY VERSE: “Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.” – (Jeremiah 14:14)
READ: Jeremiah 14:13-22 (KJV)
13. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
14. Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them; they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
15. Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
16. And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters; for I will pour their wickedness upon them.
17. Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.
18. If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.
19. Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!
20. We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers; for we have sinned against thee.
21. Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory; remember, break not thy covenant with us.
22. Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee; for thou hast made all these things.
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
There seems to be an upsurge of prophets, prophetesses and prophecies running through our land like a great wave. Prophecies of some of these self-styled prophets range from personal, congregational, community and national to international spheres. Many of the issues covered are on marriage, prosperity, elections, new-year outcomes, sports and many more. In many cases, some undiscerning and unsuspecting people are taken in.
The text today is a Fatherly warning from God through Jeremiah to Israel and us, to be wary of false prophets and prophecies. The Lord clearly denies ever sending these prophets and He denounces their prophecies. Truly, God sends His words of prophecy through His anointed and inspired servants. But He has not sent or inspired majority of the so-called prophets today. The Holy Spirit cannot indwell and inspire an unrighteous man. A prophecy that is truly from God cannot contradict His word on godliness and holiness. God-inspired prophecy should draw hearers away from sin and satanic intrigues towards uprightness and faith in God. Prophecies that give hope of divine presence and succour while continuing in sin or of prosperity in spite of blatant ungodliness are definitely not inspired by God.
God’s warning is to both the false prophets and the people that patronise them because they are willingly deceived (Jeremiah 5:31; 2:11). Eternal punishment awaits the deceivers and the deceived.
The fact that a prophecy is fulfilled is not an affirmation that it is from God; “for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14,15). True prophecies must agree with God’s written word.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Beware! Both the deceiver and the deceived will be punished.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Deuteronomy 1-3
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Be Not Deceived – by Pastor Enoch A.
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Daily Manna 21 March 2021
