“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?”
My Notes
What Does Jeremiah 5:31 Mean?
Jeremiah describes a devastating spiral of corruption: the prophets prophesy falsely. The priests rule by their own authority. And the people love to have it so. The corruption is not imposed — it is welcomed.
"My people love to have it so" is the most haunting phrase. The people are not victims of bad leadership. They are participants in it. They prefer the false prophecy because it is comfortable. They endorse the corrupt priesthood because it asks nothing of them.
The verse ends with a question that hangs in the air: and what will ye do in the end thereof? When this arrangement of comfortable falsehood collapses — and it will — what then? The end of a system built on lies is always catastrophic.
Jeremiah is describing a culture that has chosen comfort over truth — where the consumers of religion are as guilty as the producers. The leaders are corrupt, but the people chose to be led by them.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Where do you see 'prophets prophesying falsely' in contemporary religious culture?
- 2.What does it reveal about human nature that 'my people love to have it so'?
- 3.How do you evaluate whether you are seeking truth or comfort in your spiritual intake?
- 4.What will happen 'in the end thereof' when comfortable falsehood meets reality?
Devotional
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means. False words from the pulpit. Self-serving leadership from the altar. The corruption runs from the top down.
And my people love to have it so. That is the part that should keep you awake at night. The people are not being deceived against their will. They love it. They prefer the comfortable lie to the uncomfortable truth. They chose these leaders because these leaders tell them what they want to hear.
This is not just an ancient problem. Every era has false prophets who are popular precisely because they say pleasant things. Every generation has priests who bear rule by their own authority rather than God's. And in every era, people line up for it — because easy religion is more attractive than honest faith.
What will ye do in the end thereof? That is Jeremiah's haunting question. When the comfortable system collapses — and it always does — what is left? The false prophecy will not sustain you in crisis. The self-serving priesthood will not stand when tested.
Are you choosing truth or comfort in your spiritual life? Are you drawn to voices that challenge you or voices that affirm you? My people love to have it so. Do you?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Against the God (1) of Creation Jer 5:22, and (2) of Providence Jer 5:24, They sin, not merely by apostasy, but by a…
Here, I. The prophet shows them what mischief their sins had done them: They have turned away these things (Jer 5:25),…
"When Amos and Isaiah attacked the priesthood of Judah, they still felt that there remained the Prophets on whom the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture