Jeremiah 28 “Who Is the True Prophet?”

Jeremiah 28 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                             

• Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) – People & Songs ft Josh Sherman
• David Crowder Band – How He Loves
• Rest On Us Lyrics – Maverick City Music x UPPERROOM

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God’s Story: Prophets – Lesson for Kids
• My God Is Powerful | True North VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Your Power Will Pull Us Through | Rocky Railway VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Every move I make | Hillsong Kids | Kids Praise and Worship Motions – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

When Jeremiah gave the yoke to the envoys of several nations as part of his prophecy, a prophet named Hananiah stepped forward and spoke against Jeremiah in the name of the Lord. He met Jeremiah in the temple and proclaimed his message in front of the priests and all the people. Hananiah declared that the Lord had already broken the yoke of the king of Babylon (v. 2), and that the articles taken from the temple would be returned within two years. He also said that the king and the people who had been taken into exile would all return (vv. 3–4).

Jeremiah replied that he, too, would be glad if Hananiah’s prophecy came true (vv. 5–6). However, he added that the prophets of old usually prophesied disaster—war, famine, and plague—and that a prophet who proclaimed peace and prosperity would be recognized as a true prophet only after the word came to pass (vv. 7–9). This means Hananiah’s prophecy should be treated with suspicion.

Hananiah, angered, took the wooden yoke from Jeremiah’s neck and broke it. He proclaimed boldly that the Lord would break the yoke Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had placed on all nations within two years. Jeremiah did not argue further; he simply walked away (vv. 10–11).

Sometime later, the Lord sent Jeremiah back to Hananiah with a message. The Lord said that by breaking the wooden yoke, Hananiah had only caused an iron yoke to be placed instead. The Lord had decreed that all nations would serve the king of Babylon, and no one could escape that fate (vv. 12–14). Jeremiah rebuked Hananiah for falsely prophesying without receiving the Lord’s word and declared that the Lord would take his life (vv. 15–16). As Jeremiah had said, Hananiah died two months later (v. 17).

Meditation:

Among those who step forward as prophets, there are very few who intend from the beginning to deceive. To step into the role of a prophet during times of national crisis is dangerous. Without a clear and compelling sense of calling from God, no one would dare take on such a task. In the beginning, these prophets likely spoke only when they were absolutely convinced that the Lord had given them a message. They would have struggled earnestly to discern whether the word they received truly came from the Lord.

Some prophets, however, became highly regarded. Through their prophetic work, they gained recognition from the people and leaders—earning a reputation, influence, and even power. Hananiah was one of these. The problem is that when a prophet gains public approval and rises to a position of influence, they are likely to lose their first love and original humility. Spiritual pride and the privileges given by the crowd can become a kind of narcotic that dulls true spirituality, causing them to speak only what the people want to hear. Even though they have not received a word from the Lord, they claim that they have. What begins cautiously eventually grows into bold deception.

This still happens today. Those who preach must remain alert and work diligently to proclaim only the message given by the Holy Spirit. And those who listen must not seek only messages that soothe and justify their troubled conscience. The words that convict and unsettle us are often the very ones we must receive with honor. Only then will spiritual frauds like Hananiah have no place to stand.

Prayer:

Lord, give those who preach Your Word a burning desire to seek Your will and the courage to proclaim it faithfully. And grant those who hear Your Word the boldness to receive not just comforting messages, but also the uncomfortable word that convicts and challenges us. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: God wants us to listen to His true voice, not just words that sound nice or comfortable. Sometimes the message God gives us challenges us—but those are the words that help us grow closer to Him.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • How can we tell the difference between someone who speaks the truth and someone who just says what people want to hear?
  • Why is it important to listen to God’s words, even when they are not easy to hear?
  • Can you think of a time when someone told you something that was hard to hear but actually helped you?
    
• Youth:
  • Why do you think some people are tempted to say things that others want to hear, rather than what is true?
  • What makes listening to challenging or convicting messages from God difficult for us today?
  • How can we practice discerning whether a message (sermon, online content, friend advice) is truly from God or just comforting words?