1. Proclaim God's word to the people (9-24)

The responsibility for the corruption of the land lay with godless prophets and priests. The prophets of Israel let all kinds of despicable idol worship go unchallenged. The prophets of Judah committed adultery and lived a lie. These religious leaders only strengthened the hands of evildoers. A Bible teacher must stand before God and listen to his council. He cannot use God's word as a springboard to talk about his own ideas. When prophets and priests speak God's word truthfully, the people will turn from their evil ways (22).

2. God's word is like a fire, like a hammer (25-40)

False prophets talk about their dreams; God's servants preach and teach God's words. People who tell others about their dreams and teach the delusion of their own minds can only lead people astray. But God's word is a hammer that breaks hard hearts; it is a fire that purifies. Let one who has God's word speak it faithfully. We must not distort the words of the living God with our own ideas (36).

Application: Lord, help me to listen to your word and teach it faithfully.
One Word: God's word is like a hammer