Jeremiah (1-31) 27:18 Commentary and Bible Study

The Lord challenges the false prophets, and proposes a further test of their genuineness. There are two parts to this challenge. First of all, if these are true prophets let them show proper concern for the vessels of the house of the Lord which Nebuchadnezzar has not yet taken away, and let them pray to God that it will not happen. That would be something worthwhile for them to do, rather than inventing prophecies out of their own heads to deceive the people, and assuring priest and people that what has been taken away will come back again. They wouldn't be just boldly announcing these false words of assurance.But secondly, let them pray and see if God will answer them. That will show whether they really have his favour or not. Surely God will hear his prophets when they cry to him! It is certain however that he will not answer them, because they are false, and their message is false, and he will not hear those who tell lies in his name.Far from answering them, the Lord will devastate the temple and the city of Jerusalem to an even greater extent than before. On his previous incursions Nebuchadnezzar had taken perhaps the items and gold and left behind the less valuable items. But soon because of their intransigence, God will send him to tear down the very fabric of the temple and destroy its most elegant features, and carry away not just the vessels but all the furniture, leaving it behind a bare ruin. So much for these false prophets making intercession to the Lord. Jeremiah of course is not going to pray for any such thing, because he believes the word of the Lord that has already come to him, that the city is certainly going to be destroyed, and he has told them that this cannot be averted. These things shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that God visit them. But that is 70 years away. There will be a restoration, comes the promise, in due time.