Jeremiah 23:22Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Had they sought my counsel and listened to my words, they would have instructed my people and guided them away from their wicked paths. In other words, if they had remained true to My commandments and anticipated My grace, they would have imparted a complete understanding of righteousness to the people. This is a significant testimony; it is not trivial, as it delineates the line between true prophecy and false prophecy. The same phrases are found in the earliest manuscripts of the Septuagint. The current Slavonic version, which states, "My words would be heard if my words were heard," aligns with Blessed Jerome's translation. It is worth noting that these particular words do not appear in the oldest manuscripts of the Septuagint.

The apostle articulates this concept to the Romans: Since they chose to disregard God in their thoughts, God allowed them to pursue a debased mind, engaging in all manner of wickedness, injustice, sexual immorality, and deceit (Rom. 1:28, 29), among other vices. When false teachers surrender themselves to falsehood and oaths, and to the ruin of those they mislead, they do not proceed with caution but rush recklessly toward their own demise and the ruin of those they deceive. It is not the Lord who communicates through them; instead, they speak as though it is the Lord himself.

If they would heed My counsel and listen to My words, they will instruct My people and lead them away from their sinful paths and harmful deeds. I have outright prohibited all forms of wickedness through the law. Thus, had they adhered to My teachings, they would have exposed the sins of the people and guided them toward righteousness. However, God reveals to them that nothing is hidden from Him. For He declares: