God’s people had strayed from Him so far that He brought the Babylonian nation against them to punish them and take them captive. God sent Jeremiah to tell the Jews why they had fallen and to warn them against letting it happen again. One of their biggest downfalls were those men who were supposed to be teaching them God’s truth. Instead, look at what God said.
“I have heard what the prophets have said…Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name…He who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. ‘Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,’ says the Lord, ‘who steal My words every one from his neighbor. Behold, I am against the prophets,’ says the Lord, ‘who use their tongues and say, “He says.”…Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,’ says the Lord” (Jer. 23:25-29).
It will be our downfall if we follow the words of men today, rather than what HE says!