Jeremiah must stop uttering words that are worthless
and rather say what is precious.
In this context, worthless
words are those that call into question the Lord’s faithfulness (Jeremiah 15:18). Those are the words of a false prophet who says whatever he feels as if it comes from the Lord. A true prophet must discern between worthless
words and precious
words that come from the Lord. If Jeremiah speaks only what the Lord says, even while suffering rejection by the people, then he will speak as the Lord’s prophet.1 As a true prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah is to understand his current sufferings in the bigger picture of the Lord’s message to Judah and his plans for his people.
19 Therefore thus says the LORD: “If you return, I will restore you, and you shall stand before me. If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. They shall turn to you, but you shall not turn to them.