12-7-06 Jeremiah 23:28, 29

Jeremiah 23:28, 29 (KJ21)
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. Is not My word like as a fire?" saith the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

Jeremiah 23:28, 29 (NAS)
The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?" declares the LORD. Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?

Jeremiah 23:28, 29 (NIVUS)
Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?

Jeremiah 23:28, 29 (NLT)
Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat! Does not my word burn like fire?" asks the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?

When you see advertisements on television, often you see spokes-people for certain products. These men and women are paid to tout the good points and features of the item they are advertising. Even though they are the official "prophet" of the product, they may not believe in it or use it. They are simply paid to do a job.

In the Kingdom of God there are men and women who God has called to prophesy for Him. They are Adonai's spokesmen and their job is to praise the Lord and reveal the benefits of Kingdom living. Sometimes, however, these mere human beings can be side-tracked or distracted by something that did not really come from God. They may have had a dream which impressed them so much that they begin to preach it. Everywhere they go they declare and rehearse what they saw in that dream. They may believe that they have a new revelation that they need to share with everyone.

There are other men and women who have been given the true word of the Lord. They are responsible to speak out and declare those promises, commandments, or warnings that Jehovah has given them. These do not speak as common men, for they are actually using a supernatural language that is not of this world.

If you have been called as the Lord's spokesman, you must be faithful to speak God's word. You have found that it is reliable and sure and you should show others what you have discovered. Through your testimony, you impart divine instruction and warn of future judgment. You must speak the Truth, for it is what has nourished and upheld you. God's word is your pillar and support. You do well to trust in and believe Adonai's word and to share that word with others.

However, you should make sure that you are speaking only God's word and not your own dreams. Even though there may be truth in those dreams and visions, they are merely straw and stubble in comparison to the true word of the Lord, which is like nourishing corn and grain. God's word purges and cleanses and tests and proves those who hear it. What Adonai says purifies you, putting a shining polish to your life.

The Lord Jehovah's word is a fire that burns up the straw and stubble. It also is a hammer that shatters and dashes in pieces the hard places and strongholds that hold you captive. You can experience no greater power than the utterances and declarations of the Lord over your life.