Category: Identifying and Countering Deception

New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 9:17

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose [houtos] I have raised you up [exegeiro], that I may show [endeiknumi] My power [dunamis] in you, and that My name [onoma] may be declared [diangelo] in [en] all [pas] the earth [ge].” Romans 9:17 (NKJV) 

16 And for this [houtos] purpose [eneka] you have been preserved [diatereo], in order that [hopos] I may display [endeiknumi] my power [ischus] in you and in order that [hopos] my name [onoma] might be proclaimed [diangelo] throughout [en] all [pas] the earth [ge]. Exodus 9:16 (LES2) 

16 But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. Exodus 9:16 (NKJV) 

 Although Paul’s quote contains many of the same Greek words as the LXX, I will give this one to the MT.

 

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Romans 9:15

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” Romans 9:15 (NKJV)

19 And God said, “I myself will pass by in front of you in my glory, and I will speak on my name, the Lord, before you, and I will have mercy [eleeo] upon whomever [hos] I will have mercy eleeo], and I will have compassion [oiktiro] upon whomever [hos] I will have compassion [oiktiro].” Exodus 33:19 (LES2) 

19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NKJV) 

 Paul quoted the LXX verbatim.

 

 

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Zechariah 6:11-12

Septuagint

Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX.  I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.

The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

11 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; Zechariah 6:11–12 (NKJV)

11 And you will take silver and gold, and you will make crowns and place them upon the head of the great priest Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. 12 And you will say to him, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Behold, a man; Anatole is his name, and from beneath him he will rise up and build the house of the Lord. Zechariah 6:11–12 (LES2) 

In the Greek LXX, the word for Joshua is the same word as Jesus. The early church would have seen this as a clear reference to the him. That is why the MT altered the next verse to hide the truth.

The MT identifies Joshua, son of Jehozadak, as the Branch who will branch out and rebuild the physical temple of the Lord.

The LXX says that this Joshua, which is the same word as Jesus in Greek, will be called “Anatole,” which literally means “rising.” Using it as a proper name might better be translated as “Risen One.” This Anatole will rise up from beneath, meaning from the grave, to build the house (not temple) of the Lord, meaning the church, which is made out of what Peter called “living stones.” (1 Peter 2:5)

It is easy to see why the Masoretes wanted to hide this obvious pointer to the risen Lord Jesus.

 

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Jeremiah 23:5-6

Septuagint

Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX.  I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.

The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 6 In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS Jeremiah 23:5–6 (NKJV) 

5 “Look, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “and I will raise up a righteous rising [Greek – anatole] for David, and a king will reign and understand and perform justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days both Judah will be delivered, and Israel will encamp confidently, and this is his name, which the Lord will call him: “Jozadak.” Jeremiah 23:5–6 (LES2) 

Here is a perfect example of why I have an issue with the Masoretic Text. The passage in this instance is a much beloved Scripture, but it is not the true word of God. The Masoretes, in their effort to remove a passage that clearly refers to Jesus have given us something that sounds good and is often quoted by Christians as referring to Jesus, but is not what was written in the ancient Septuagint that the early church used to prove Christ is the Messiah.

In verse 5, the MT says, “I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness.” Who could have a problem with that, except it is not what God said. The LXX records Jeremiah saying, “I will raise up a righteous rising [Greek – anatole] for David.” This Greek word for rising is used to describe the sun rising in the east, and we shall see that it is is a clear foreshadowing of Christ’s resurrection. (John 5:39, Luke 24:25-27) Jesus is the the king who fulfilled the rest of the prophecy in verse 5.

The next huge difference is the name by which Jeremiah says this coming king will be called. The MT says, “The Lord our righteousness.” This agrees with Paul’s words about Jesus.

30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30–31 (NKJV)

So my issue with the MT is not that it contradicts the New Testament, but that it is not what God spoke through Jeremiah. The LXX calls his name, “Jozadak,” a name is not nearly as inspiring until we discover its significance. 

Jeremiah prophesied about a future high priest named Jozadak, who would have a son named Joshua (Jesus in Greek). Here is what Zechariah prophesied about him.

11 And you will take silver and gold, and you will make crowns and place them upon the head of the great priest Joshua, the son of Jehozadak. 12 And you will say to him, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Behold, a man; Anatole is his name, and from beneath him he will rise up and build the house of the Lord. 13 And he will receive virtue, and he will sit and rule upon his throne... ” Zechariah 6:11–13a (LES2)

Notice that Jozadak (Jehozadak) will have a son named Jesus who will be crowned and rule upon his throne. Also, notice in verse 12 the mention of the word “Anatole” as another name for him, which cross references to Jeremiah 23:5, where he said that God would raise up a righteous Anatole for David! I do not think it would be going too far to translate “Anatole” as Risen One. This one rises from “beneath,” which we know is a reference to the lower parts of the earth. (Ephesians 4:9)

If we compare the MT version of Zechariah 6:11-13, we will see that the Masoretes were careful to change Zechariah to match Jeremiah.

11 Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 12 Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the LORD; 13 Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, And shall sit and rule on His throne; So He shall be a priest on His throne, And the counsel of peace shall be between them both.” ’ Zechariah 6:11–13 (NKJV)

Instead of calling him the Risen One, Anatole, who rises up, he is called the branch who branches out.

Can you understand why I have very little love for the MT, which took an amazing prophecy about Christ and converted it into something that sounds good, but is not accurate? Very clever, like a snake.

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Matthew 12:18-21

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

18 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, And He will declare justice to the Gentiles. 19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; 21 And in His name Gentiles will trust.” Matthew 12:18–21 (NKJV) 

3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and I will be glorified in you.” Isaiah 49:3 (LES2) 

1 Jacob is my child, I will help him; Israel is my chosen one, my soul has accepted him. I have given my spirit upon him; he will bring forth judgment upon the nations. 2 He will not cry out or lift up his voice, nor will his voice be heard outside. 3 He will not crush a bruised reed, and he will not extinguish a smoking flax, but he will bring forth justice to truth. 4 He will blaze forth and will not be shattered until he brings justice upon the earth, and the nations will hope in his name. Isaiah 42:1–4 (LES2) 

3 “And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’ Isaiah 49:3 (NKJV)

1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. 2 He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. 3 A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 4 He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” Isaiah 42:1–4 (NKJV)

 Once again Matthew seems to be mixing and matching. He largely follows the MT but at the end he uses phrasing from the LXX. I give this one to neither side.
       

 

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Matthew 11:10

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold [idou], I send [apostello] My messenger [angelos] before [pro] Your face [prosopon], Who will prepare [kataskeuadzo] Your way [hodos] before [emprosthen] You.’ Matthew 11:10 (NKJV) 

1 “Look [horao], I send [exapostello] my messenger [angelos], and he will observe [epiblepo] the way [hodos] before [pro] my face [prosopon]. And suddenly, the Lord, whom you seek, will come into his own temple. And the messenger of the covenant, whom you want, look, he comes,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:1 (LES2) 

1 “Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” Says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:1 (NKJV) 

 It is difficult to tell what source Matthew was using because he does not exactly quote either the MT or LXX. I lean toward the LXX on this one.
       

 

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Matthew 11:2-6

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind [tuflos] see [anablepo ]and the lame [cholos] walk [peripateo]; the lepers [lepros] are cleansed [katharidzo] and the deaf [kophos] hear [akouo]; the dead [nekros] are raised up [egeiro] and the poor [ptochos] have the gospel preached [euangelidzo] to them.  Matthew 11:2–5 (NKJV) 

18 And on that day deaf people will hear the words of a scroll, and the eyes of blind people will see in the darkness and in the fog, 19 and poor people will rejoice with cheer because of the Lord, and those people who are despairing will be filled with cheer. Isaiah 29:18–19 (LES2)

4 Give comfort, fainthearted in mind! Be strong; do not be frightened! Look, our God is repaying judgment, and he will repay! He himself will come and save us! 5 Then blind people’s eyes will be opened, and dumb people’s ears will hear. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the stammerer’s tongue will be clear, because water has broken forth in the desert, and a ravine in a thirsting land. Isaiah 35:4–6 (LES2) 

 

18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness. 19 The humble also shall increase their joy in the LORD, And the poor among men shall rejoice In the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 29:18–19 (NKJV) 

4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:4–6 (NKJV) 

 Jesus, who is the eternal Logos, took bits from Isaiah’s prophecies to give the signs of the Messiah. I cannot give this one to either the MT or LXX.

6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Matthew 11:2–6 (NKJV) 

14 And if you trust him, he will become a sanctuary for you, and you will not encounter him as an obstacle of stone or like a fall from a rock. But the houses of Jacob are in a snare, and those who sit in Jerusalem are in a pit. Isaiah 8:14 (LES2)

14 He will be as a sanctuary, But a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isaiah 8:14 (NKJV) 

 Once again, Jesus took an idea from Isaiah and coined his own verse, as he is authorized to do. 

 

 

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New Testament Use of the Septuagint – Matthew 8:17

Septuagint

Here is New Testament passage that shows that the Septuagint was the version of the Scriptures used by the early church and the Holy Spirit. The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

NT Quote
LXX
MT
Comment

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself [autos] took [lambano] our infirmities [astheneia] And bore our sicknesses [nosos].” Matthew 8:16–17 (NKJV)

4 This one [outos] carries [phero] our sins [hamartia] and suffers pain [odanao] for us, and we regarded him as one who is in difficulty, misfortune, and affliction. Isaiah 53:4 (LES2) 

4 Surely He has borne our griefs [or sicknesses] And carried our sorrows [or suffering]; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4 (NKJV) 

 Matthew did not exactly quote either the MT or LXX, but through him the Holy Spirit taught us the proper interpretation of the Hebrew words that can have multiple meanings. I do not think I can give this one to either the MT or LXX, but I lean toward the MT. The Holy Spirit spoke through Matthew in a unique way.

“

 

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On Whose Side Is Israel?

israel

An interesting and, perhaps, terrifying aspect of Christian Zionism is that it commands Christians to side with modern Israel politically and militarily, turning a blind eye to their atrocities and without making a scriptural judgment regarding the wisdom of such a move.

In spiritual warfare, there are only two sides – God’s and Satan’s.

No one can remain neutral; although, we may choose to be a non-combatant. The world system, which is dominated by Satan (1 John 5:19), strives to make people believe that all religions are diverse roads to the same God, but that is not true. There is only one way to the true God, and his  name is Jesus. (John 14:6) We either find God through Jesus, or we are, by default, outside of God’s family and in the enemy camp. Jesus made this abundantly clear to the Jewish leaders who presumed they belonged to God while at the same time rejecting the only way to God. (John 8:37-44)

God has drawn a line in the sand, so to speak. How we see and respond to Jesus determines our eternity and makes it clear on which side of the spiritual divide we find ourselves.

Our Lord said:

30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Matthew 12:30 (NKJV)

We are either for Jesus or against him.

The apostle John wrote:

22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. 23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 1 John 2:22–23 (NKJV) 

Using the Holy Spirit’s logic, which many who have drunk from the poisonous well of Christian Zionism find it impossible to do, all who deny that Jesus is the Lord do not serve the one true God and are, by definition, against Christ, which makes them “antichrists.” 

The Jews who reject the gospel do not serve the God they want us to believe they serve and are participating in Satan’s agenda on earth, just as surely as most of the Pharisees in Jesus’ day did. 

The corollary to this is that those Christians who support the antichrist nation of Israel are aiding and abetting the wrong team, something that Satan is using in an effort to defeat the church while elevating his own agenda through a rebellious nation.

Followers of Christ and those who reject Christ are on opposite sides spiritually and should not join together in a common enterprise.

King Jehoshaphat of Judah, who served the true God, made such an ill-advised pact with Ahab king of Israel, who did not. Ahab convinced Jehoshaphat to join him in battle, using Judah’s wealth and power to achieve his own ungodly ends. By allying with Israel, Jehoshaphat nearly died, and Ahab did. God was not in it. (1 Kings 22) Though the United States may ally with Israel for whatever reasons, Christians should never assign some sort of divine mandate to such a course of action. Governments always seek to co-opt religion to achieve their purposes. 

Christians should not support the wars of godless Israel because it will not end well for us or them.

It is true that God superimposes his will on all things, even what was intended for evil (Genesis 50:20), so that the devil’s schemes always eventually work out to accomplish what God desires. (Acts 2:23) Nevertheless, anyone who participates in evil, even when God is working it for good, is guilty of sin. Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus was a necessary part of our salvation, but Jesus said it would have been better for him never to have been born. (Mark 14:21) We dare not support sin as part of some misguided attempt to bring about a “greater good,” such as Christ’s Second Coming. Supporting Israel’s attempts to secure the land called “greater Israel” without the Jews ever acknowledging Christ is to back their ongoing rebellion against God. The land belongs to the “seed” of Abraham, who is Christ (Galatians 3:16), not to modern day citizens of the nation state called Israel. The New Covenant abrogated the Old (Hebrews 8:13). Now all things belong to Christ, including the entire earth, not merely a sliver of land east of the Mediterranean Sea. (Psalm 2:8, Romans 4:13, Matthew 5:5) Since the church is “in Christ,” we share in that inheritance. (Ephesians 1:11) Christians will inherit the earth.

How tragic and sad that many in the church have traded the glorious New Covenant for another Jewish corruption of the gospel, which places the nation of Israel at the center of God’s plan instead of Christ! The true Israel in the New Covenant, according to Scripture, is composed of all those who have been born again through faith in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles. (Galatians 3:26-29) God does not have two chosen peoples – the church and Israel. Only those who have been chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world can rightfully claim to be part of that group. (Ephesians 1:4) God is no respecter of persons. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. There is no group of people that is more special to God than any other. 

Modern Israel and the Jews who do not know Christ need our prayers and efforts to share the gospel with them, but it is a serious error to support their ungodly efforts to establish a worldly kingdom without Christ at its center.

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Rediscovering the Septuagint (LXX): Jeremiah 15:15-21

Septuagint

Here is a direct side-by-side comparison of the Masoretic Text with the LXX.  I have concluded that the LXX is much to be preferred over the Masoretic Text, a position from which the Eastern Orthodox Church never deviated. Perhaps, if you take the time to read my comparisons and other articles, you will arrive at the same conclusion.

The Septuagint version I am using is the Lexham English Septuagint 2nd Edition, which is available in print or as part of Logos Bible Software. Occasionally I also use the Brenton translation of the LXX for insight into difficult passages.

If you want to know more, click on the following links.

Masoretic Text Septuagint Significance

15 O LORD, You know; Remember me and visit me, And take vengeance for me on my persecutors. In Your enduring patience, do not take me away. Know that for Your sake I have suffered rebuke. 16 Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:15–16 (NKJV) 

15 O Lord, remember me and visit me, and hold me guiltless before those who pursue me, not for forbearance. Know how I received reproach concerning you 16 by those who reject your words. Make an end of them, and your word shall be to me as cheer and delight to my heart, because your name has been invoked upon me, O Lord Almighty. Jeremiah 15:15–16 (LES2) 

The MT has Jeremiah asking God to take vengeance on his persecutors, but the LXX asks God to “hold me guiltless,” but without bearing long with his enemies. The MT applies God’s long-suffering to Jeremiah.

The MT says that Jeremiah suffered rebuke for God’s sake, but the LXX says that Jeremiah suffered reproach from those who rejected God’s words. The MT then says the famous line, “Your words were found, and i ate them,” which I have sung to God. How sad for me that they appear to be contrived by the translators of the MT. The LXX says, “Make an end of them,” meaning those who reject God’s words. 

The MT and LXX agree in the next section, except that the MT calls God the Lord of hosts, while the LXX says he is Lord Almighty.

17 I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, For You have filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain perpetual And my wound incurable, Which refuses to be healed? Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream, As waters that fail? Jeremiah 15:17–18 (NKJV) 

17 I did not sit in the assembly of those who mock, but I was reverent at the face of your hand. I was seated by myself because I was filled with bitterness. 18 Why do those who grieve me prevail over me? My wound is severe. How will I be healed? When it came, it came to me like false water without faith. Jeremiah 15:17–18 (LES2) 

 The MT says, “Nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of your hand.” The LXX says that Jeremiah was reverent. The “face of God’s hand” is likely a reference to God’s power. God’s hand is sometimes used to refer to the Holy Spirit as well. Then the LXX says the reason Jeremiah sat alone was not because of God’s power, but because of his own bitterness at God’s allowing those who persecuted him to prevail. To the prophet it all seemed to be a severe unhealed wound or like an unreliable water source.

19 Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, Then I will bring you back; You shall stand before Me; If you take out the precious from the vile, You shall be as My mouth. Let them return to you, But you must not return to them. 20 And I will make you to this people a fortified bronze wall; And they will fight against you, But they shall not prevail against you; For I am with you to save you And deliver you,” says the LORD. 21 “I will deliver you from the hand of the wicked, And I will redeem you from the grip of the terrible.” Jeremiah 15:19–21 (NKJV) 

19 Because of this, thus says the Lord: “If you return, then I will restore you, and you will stand before my face. And if you bring out what is valued from the worthy, you will serve as my mouth. And they will turn to you, and you will not turn to them. 20 And I will give you to this people as a fortified bronze wall, and they will fight against you, and they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you 21 and to deliver you from the hand of evildoers, and to redeem you from the hand of the plague.” Jeremiah 15:19–21 (LES2) 

This passage is God’s response to a disconsolate Jeremiah, which sounds very much like what Jesus told Peter before his betrayal. 

31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31–32 (NKJV) 

Apparently Jeremiah was not in a good place and needed to repent and be restored to his prophetic ministry. Bitterness can knock us off track with God. 

The MT has God instructing Jeremiah to separate the precious from the vile, but the LXX tells him to bring what is precious out of what is merely worthy. This reminds me of the old saying that the enemy of what is best is what is merely good. In order to be God’s spokesperson, we need to give ourselves to God’s best and not be satisfied with anything less. 

God forbade Jeremiah from surrendering his calling in order to have peace, promising to preserve him from everyone who wished to persecute and destroy him. I believe God wants to encourage us all in this regard.

 

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