"Be Careful Who You Admire"

Jeremiah 23.10b-11 NKJV

“Their course of life is evil, And their might is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,” says the Lord.

A good prophet speaks to the people on behalf of God. A good priest speaks to God on behalf of the people. But what happens when “both prophet and priest are profane?” The false prophet does not represent God’s truth and a profane priest knows nothing of the condition of the people. Therefore the prophet’s sermons and the priest’s prayers are useless. In fact, they are worse than useless. They’re damaging.

A title conferred by a theological institution does not necessarily equate to the transfer of authority by God. Not every so-called pastor, counselor, rabbi, teacher, shepherd, mentor, big brother, father, priest, or prophet truly speaks on behalf of God or the people. 

Be careful who you admire. You can misplace your trust and mis-spend your loyalty. The Lord has even “found their wickedness” in the church of Jesus Christ. Degrees, certificates, ordinations, diplomas, credentials, permits, endorsements, licenses, or other official imprimaturs do not necessarily qualify a man or a woman to speak for the Lord or his people. Even widespread public acclaim does not always equate to Divine approval.

Jeremiah stood by himself in his defense of the truth. While the popular prophets and priests of his day were delivering their message of peace and prosperity, Jeremiah alone prophesied ‘the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.’ Impressive titles and strong numbers may imply, but do not guarantee the rightness of a cause. Jeremiah’s observation is still true today... “might is not right.”

An individual’s ability to stand alone like Jeremiah against popular opinion depends on the strength of his or her relationship with Christ which is, fundamentally, a private matter. It is established and maintained in the privacy of one’s closet of prayer where our Heavenly Father ‘sees secretly and rewards openly’ (Matthew 6.6). On our knees we learn that personal power and political might do not establish standards of right and wrong. True morality is determined by God and no one else.

“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord”

Zechariah 4.6 NASU

Don’t be influenced by the biggest and best, the strong and mighty, the healthy and wealthy, the rich and famous, or the loudest and proudest. Listen to the “still small voice” (1st Kings 19.12) whispering, “might is not right” and directing you in the particular path Jesus has chosen for you alone.

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Note: The “certificate” pictured at the top of this post is bogus. There is no such thing as a biblical book called Itsaliah and “Might [obviously does not] Make Right,” which, of course is the main point of today’s passage from Jeremiah.