SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 28
THE FALSE PROPHET HANANIAH (vs. 1-17)
Prophet Hananiah was the son of Azur from Gibeon. He prophesized saying that God will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. All the articles of the Lord’s house that the king of Babylon took will be brought back. Jehoiachin, son of Jehoiakim including all the exiles of Judah will return to Judah. However, Jeremiah said that “early prophets had prophesized war, disasters and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. The prophet who prophesized people will be recognized as one truly sent by the Lord if is his prediction comes true. (vs. 5-9)
Then prophet Hananiah took the yoke off the neck of prophet Jeremiah and broke it. Then he said this: “The Lord says, in the same way, will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar of the neck of all the nations within 2 years.”
Jeremiah went on his way and the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah. Go and tell Hananiah: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel ,m says: I will put an iron yoke on the necks of all these nations to make them serve Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and they will serve him. I will even give him control over the wild animals” (vs. 13-14). Then prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore, this is what the Lord says. “I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.” (vs. 15-16). In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet died.
THOUGHTS:
Jeremiah spoke the unpopular truth while Hananiah spoke deceitful words of lies that brought false hopes and comfort to the people. The way to distinguish a true of false prophet is this. A true prophet’s prediction always comes true. Do you prefer to listen to comforting lies rather than the painful truth?