Definition: Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 27:14. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic warning! Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us to not listen to the prophets who are saying something very dangerous – that they're trying to trick us into serving the king of Babylon. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 27:14” : This tells us we’re talking about a specific prophecy written down by Jeremiah, a leader in ancient Israel. “Therefore hearken not unto the words…” : This means "don't listen to them." It’s urging us to refuse to follow their instructions. “…of the prophets that speak…” : This refers to prophets – people who tell stories and give warnings about God. “…saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon…” : This is the core of the warning. The prophets were telling us that the king of Babylon (a powerful empire in Mesopotamia) was a bad influence and trying to lead Israel into chaos. They were saying that serving them would be wrong. “…for they prophesy a lie unto you.” : This is the most crucial part. The prophets were lying ! They were deliberately misleading us with false promises and warnings. They weren’t telling us the truth about God, but instead trying to manipulate us. What's the Big Picture? This verse highlights a critical point in Jewish history: The prophets often used their messages to try to influence people – including the Israelites – towards a different course of action than what God intended. The message was carefully crafted to sow discord and lead them astray. Why is this important? It’s about truth: It's a reminder that we should always trust God's word, which is clear and truthful. It’s about discernment: It encourages us to be critical of what people are telling us – especially if it sounds too good to be true or seems designed to manipulate us. In short, this verse warns against being misled by those who try to trick us with false promises. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Give you some examples of how this principle is applied today?