The phrase “peace, peace, when there is no peace” comes from Jeremiah 8:11 in the Old Testament. This verse falls within a passage where God, through the prophet Jeremiah, is pronouncing judgment on the kingdom of Judah for their unfaithfulness and idolatry.
In Jeremiah 8:11, God says:
“They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” (Jeremiah 8:11 ESV)
This verse is expressing God’s displeasure with the religious leaders and false prophets of Judah who were claiming that everything was fine and there was peace, when in reality Judah was on a crash course for God’s judgment due to their lack of faithfulness.
The phrase “peace, peace, when there is no peace” is an ironic statement – the religious leaders were crying out peace and healing when in fact there was no peace, no healing. They were claiming peace when there was no justification or basis for doing so.
There are a few key points we can take away from this phrase in its context:
1. False Assurance from Religious Leaders
The prophets and religious leaders of Judah were falsely assuring the people by crying “peace, peace” when God was on the verge of judging them. They were claiming peace and prosperity when in fact there was no peace.
This demonstrates the danger of religious leaders telling people what they want to hear versus what God has actually said. These leaders were downplaying the severity of sin and avoiding the truth that judgment was imminent.
2. Ignoring God’s Message
Part of the reason the leaders were able to falsely claim peace was that the people didn’t want to hear Jeremiah’s message of coming judgment.
Jeremiah 6:14 states that “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace.” The people wanted a message of peace and prosperity, not judgment, so the false prophets told them what they wanted to hear.
This shows the importance of heeding God’s Word even when it is difficult. The people rejected Jeremiah’s warning from God and instead listened to deceitful leaders who told them things were fine.
3. Sin Leads to Judgment, Not Peace
The ultimate reason there was no peace for Judah was because of their lack of faithfulness and abundance of sin before God. Jeremiah catalogues their sins of idolatry, injustice, deceit and moral compromise earlier in chapter 6.
God makes it clear – sin and unfaithfulness before God does not lead to peace, but to judgment. Despite their descent into sin, Judah’s leaders kept proclaiming peace when it didn’t line up with reality.
This reminds us that turning from God and refusing to repent of sin can never result in true peace, only eventually in judgment. No matter how loudly or confidently someone claims otherwise.
4. The Contrast Between True and False Prophets
Jeremiah stood in direct contrast to the false prophets of his day. He was faithfully delivering the message God had given him, warning of coming judgment if Judah refused to turn back to God.
Meanwhile the false prophets, eager to maintain their influence and tell the people what they wanted to hear, boldly proclaimed peace despite the reality of the situation.
This contrast shows the importance of heeding those who faithfully proclaim God’s word, even when it is difficult, versus those who tell people what they want to hear.
5. A Warning for Us
While this message was originally given to Judah, it also serves as a relevant warning for people and nations today. It is easy to surround ourselves with voices that tell us things are fine and there is “peace” when in reality there may not be.
This passage reminds us to carefully discern the voices we listen to and measure what they say against what God has already said in His Word. We must be wary of those who proclaim peace when their message does not line up with reality or with Scripture.
Ultimately this phrase serves as a warning – we must not blithely listen to religious leaders or prophets who claim peace and prosperity when there is open, unrepentant sin and unfaithfulness before God. This leads not to peace, but eventual judgment.
Instead we must evaluate claims of peace in light of God’s Word and truth, listening to those who faithfully proclaim the entirety of the biblical message – including warning and judgment for those who turn from God.
Only through honest repentance from sin and faithfulness to God can individuals and nations find true peace. Any other peace is an illusion and is “peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
In summary, in its original context this phrase was God’s harsh criticism of the religious leaders of Judah who, despite rampant sin and idolatry, were telling the people what they wanted to hear – that there was peace and prosperity – when in fact judgment was coming.
It serves as a warning to heed God’s full Word, not just messages of comfort, and to beware of those who claim peace when there is open sin and unfaithfulness towards God. True peace comes only through repentance and faithfulness to God.