18
Do Not Omit a Word
John DangananThis what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’S house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word. Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done. - Jeremiah 26:2-3
A prophet is to speak the whole counsel of God’s word. His job as a mouthpiece is to receive the truth and speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth. He is not a revisionist or an editor for God (as if God needed editing!) that sugar coats God’s message in order to make it more palatable for people to receive it. God has no use for self-appointed public relations consultants who speak half-truths or even untruths who think they are intermediaries for him. God uses prophets who receive his words and speak it with no omission. When Jeremiah was threatened with death for speaking the whole counsel of God’s word, he did not cower nor shrink back from his assignment nor his message, “Do with me whatever you think is good and right” (26:14).
What is it within me that makes me think I have to “defend” God, his words and his actions? Why is there an inward temptation not to speak the whole counsel of God’s truth and omit some unpleasantries in God’s word? It is the fear of man—being afraid of the rejection from people. It is also the approval of man—my insecurity to feel the need to be accepted by people. For people to embrace and appreciate the good news of the gospel they must first understand the bad news of God’s wrath and human depravity. As a pastor/shepherd there is an office and function of a prophet that I must walk in and courageously speak.
