Jeremiah 23:28

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:28 (KJV)

Context

The book of Jeremiah is a prophetic book in the Old Testament, and Jeremiah is considered one of the major prophets. This verse is part of a larger oracle against false prophets in Israel, who claimed to speak for the Lord but were deceiving the people. Dreams were a recognized means of divine communication in the Old Testament, yet they could also be counterfeited by self-appointed prophets.

Meaning

The verse draws a sharp contrast between two kinds of claims: the dream of a false prophet and the true word of God. The instruction is clear: if a prophet has a dream, he may tell it as a dream, but the one who has God’s word must speak it faithfully and truthfully. The rhetorical question, “What is the chaff to the wheat?” uses an agricultural image to show the vast difference in value and substance between the false message and the true word of God. Chaff is the light, useless husk surrounding the grain, while wheat provides nourishment and sustenance. In this analogy, chaff symbolizes false teachings and deceptive messages, while wheat represents the authentic, life-giving word of God.

Biblical connections

Throughout the prophetic literature, including Jeremiah, the Lord pronounces judgment against those who falsely claim to speak on His behalf. The verse emphasizes the supreme authority, reliability, and worth of God’s word over human speculation or deceptive claims. The faithful speaker of God’s word is to deliver it accurately, without adding to it or diminishing it.

Application

This passage calls believers to discernment, warning against being misled by those who claim divine authority without truly having God’s message. It also reminds us that the Lord, who discerns the difference between chaff and wheat, will hold deceitful speakers accountable for their actions. For those who have received God’s word, the responsibility is to speak it faithfully, without distortion or personal gain.

Reflection

Consider the weight of speaking on God’s behalf. Are we more like chaff, offering empty words, or like wheat, nourishing others with the truth of Scripture? Let us commit to handling God’s word with reverence and accuracy, knowing that it is far more valuable than any human dream or speculation.