Daily Devotions

Jeremiah

Jeremiah 
Day 
Day 270

"For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD?"

Text: Jeremiah 23:18

THE WORD OF THE LORD

The Word of the LORD is the key issue, in preaching or teaching of prophecy! Any prophet who proclaims the Word of God must examine the content of his preaching!

“For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD,
And has perceived and heard His word?
Who has marked His word and heard it?”
Jeremiah 23:18

1. “For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD”

a) The word of God is called “the counsel of the LORD”.

b) The word “counsel” has a number of nuances:

i) Revealed Knowledge

ii) Practical advice

iii) Insightful wisdom

iv) Commands

v) Warning

c) The prophet is there to stand and listen to the Word of God given!

i) He is to understand it fully.

ii) He is not to add or subtract God’s counsel

iii) He is to proclaim God’s Word as it is given!

2. The good and faithful prophet and the Word of God

a) He must note how he should listen to God’s counsel given.

b) A brief word is given here as to how one should regard the word of God.

3. “And has perceived and heard His word? Who has marked His word and heard it?”

a) Perception and hearing

i) The Word of God may be heard.

ii) The question is whether the Word has been perceived.

iii) Hearing is not necessarily perception!

b) Marking and hearing

i) Hearing comes first.

ii) Perception comes next.

iii) Some things may have been emphasised.

iv) Vital things emphasised must be “marked” very carefully noted.

4. Dangers that all teachers of God’s Word must address

a) Has the Word of God been accurately perceived?

b) Has there been diligence and faithfulness in marking the counsel of God?

c) Some dangers:

i) Assumed knowledge and understanding.

ii) Adding or subtracting God’s counsel.

iii) A disregard for the sacredness of Scripture.

iv) Carelessness in handling the Word of God.