Divine Purposes Fulfilled in Answer to Prayer
Anon. Jeremiah 29:8-13 For thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the middle of you, deceive you… I. A CERTAIN DANGER DECLARED (vers. 8, 9). We have here the same caution which the Redeemer subsequently gave, to "beware of false prophets." In all ages have they appeared, and most disastrous have been the effects produced by their teaching (Ezekiel 13:10-14). II. A BLESSED DELIVERANCE PROMISED. 1. The grounds on which it rested. "For thus saith the Lord." 2. The time of their return is expressly declared (ver. 10). God's time is always the best. 3. In their restoration the Divine faithfulness would be strikingly manifested. "I will visit you," &c. 4. The procuring cause of their deliverance was the boundless compassion of Jehovah (ver. 11). III. AN IMPORTANT DUTY ENJOINED. Prayer. 1. It is a duty Divinely ordained. 2. It is a duty to the observance of which the greatest encouragement is afforded. "I will hearken unto you." 3. This duty, in order to be successful, must not be attended to in a formal and lifeless manner. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. WEB: For thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Don't let your prophets who are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.