Jeremiah 23:22

But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Jeremiah 23:22 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah 23:22 is part of God’s indictment against the false prophets of Judah. These men claimed to speak for the Lord, yet they delivered their own dreams and deceptions. The verse presents a conditional statement: if they had truly stood in God’s counsel and heard His word, they would have turned the people from their evil ways. The immediate context, including Jeremiah 23:18, asks who has stood in the counsel of the Lord, underscoring that genuine prophecy requires intimacy with God.

Meaning

The phrase “stood in my counsel” implies a close, personal relationship with God—being in His presence and receiving His wisdom. True prophets, like Jeremiah, heard from God and delivered His truthful words, even when those words were unwelcome. The purpose of such ministry was not to flatter but to confront sin and call for repentance. Had the false prophets truly listened to God, their message would have produced the fruit of repentance, turning the people from their evil deeds.

Biblical connections

This verse echoes the broader biblical principle that hearing God’s words transforms hearts. The surrounding verses (Jeremiah 23:23-24) affirm God’s omnipresence and omniscience, showing that He sees the deceptions of false prophets. The New Testament similarly emphasizes that faithful proclamation of God’s word leads to repentance and changed behavior, as seen in passages like 2 Timothy 3:16-17, where Scripture is said to be profitable for correction and training in righteousness.

Application

For believers today, this verse calls us to abide deeply in God’s word. Those who teach or share God’s truth must ensure they are standing in His counsel, not merely echoing the wisdom of the age. We must not shrink from declaring the full counsel of God, recognizing that the transformative power of the gospel hinges on an uncompromising encounter with truth. Only God’s authentic word can turn individuals from their evil ways and lead them in paths of righteousness.

Reflection

Consider the weight of speaking for God. The false prophets offered false comfort, crying peace when there was no peace. In contrast, true messengers of God address the spiritual sickness of the nation with truth, even when it is offensive. As we seek to hear and heed God’s voice, let us examine whether our lives and words reflect His counsel, and whether we are willing to confront sin with the hope of genuine repentance.