Jeremiah

Jeremiah 28:1-4

Not much is known about this prophet.  He is designated a prophet just like Jeremiah and talks like a prophet.  He is from Gibeon of the territory of Benjamin.  His prophecy is a direct contradiction to the word Jeremiah gave in chapter 27.  The people hearing are forced to make a decision.  Who is the real prophet?  Both claim to be speaking God's word. 

Jeremiah 28:5-9

Jeremiah responded to Hananiah.  I'm sure Jeremiah did wish it were true, but he knew they were not.  The messages of prophets were warnings and call for repentance.  They weren't sent out prophesying peace and safety.  The safety prophesied better come about or the prophet would be shown to be false and qualify to be stoned. 

Jeremiah 28:10-11

Jeremiah still wore the yoke from the message of chapter 27, seemingly several months later; although there are scholars who believe the dating of the first verse to be corrupted.  So the exact time frame may be in doubt.  Either way, the visual provided the people was still going on.  The provided for a visual by the false prophet.  Some people probably cheered at the sight of the broken yoke.  I would imagine most wondered how Jeremiah would respond.  He went on his way with no further confrontation and no doubt glad to be rid of the yoke. 

Jeremiah 28:12-17

Breaking Jeremiah's yoke did nothing to change the truth.  This is the way of deceivers; they have told their lies long enough that they even start believing the lies themselves.  As Jeremiah is walking away the Lord sends him back to Hananiah to tell him what the Lord said.  The Lord invited them to accept the truth and go to captivity as a willing participant, recognizing they needed to change their ways, accepting their punishment and learning to trust the Lord.  The Lord makes it clear that Hananiah wasn't helping matters in giving this false hope.  The people would be all the more disillusioned and embittered when they were taken to serve Nebuchadnezzar. 

Jeremiah went on; because Hananiah had portrayed himself as a prophet, as if he were speaking God's word, he would be punished for leading people astray.  The Lord's call on a life is a serious matter, not to be dabbled with and used for our own entertainment of enhancement of our life.  Much is given to a prophet and much was expected.  Preaching rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was preaching rebellion against God since Nebuchadnezzar was God's servant called to do His work.  Hananiah's failure to take his responsibility seriously brought judgment.  The Lord remove him from his life.  This pronouncement wasn't immediate, but eventually came true just as Jeremiah's prophecy. 

©2018 Doug Ford