Jeremiah confronts a false prophet

JEREMIAH     CHAPTER 28

One day in the 4th year of reign for Zedekiah, a prophet named Hananiah from Gibeon addressed Jeremiah in the Temple while all the priests and people listened. He said that the Lord God of Israel would remove the yoke of the king of Babylon from the necks of the people. Then within two years he would bring back the Temple treasures and bring back Jehoiachin, king of Judah and all the captives.

Jeremiah responded to Hananiah by telling him "Amen. May your prophecies come true." He also said that he hoped the Lord did everything he said, but he asked the prophet as well as all those listening to hear the solemn words he spoke now. He told them the ancient prophets spoke against many nations, always warning of war, famine, and disease. So a prophet who predicts peace must carry the burden of proof and when his predictions come true, then everyone knows he is really from the Lord.

Then Hananiah took the yoke off Jeremiah's neck and broke it and he told the crowd that the Lord promised that within two years he would break the yoke of oppression from all nations subject to King Nebuchadnezzar. Then Jeremiah left the Temple and soon the Lord gave him another message. He told him to go tell Hananiah that you broke the wooden yoke, but have replaced it with a yoke of iron. The Lord said he would put a yoke of iron on all the nations, forcing them into slavery under King Nebudadnezzar. Even the wild animals would be under his control.

Then Jeremiah said to Hananiah that the Lord had not sent him, but the people believed his lies. Therefore, he said Hananiah must die. His life  would be ended that every year because he rebelled against the Lord. Two months later, Hananiah died.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? It doesn't seem really clear, but apparently Hananiah was telling lies to comfort the people, rather than give them the painful truth.  A true prophet's predictions always come true and his words never contradict previous revelation.

In our world today, we hear odd reports of the world coming to an end on a certain date - and it does not happen. Or some flimflam man claims to be a man of God and says all the things we hope to hear - and he lies. When the "feel good" preachers tell you things that don't show the consequences of actions. These are all false prophets. We just have to clear our minds and keep our eyes on the goal that God has outlined for us to do. Prayer daily helps!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Gary and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our famers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought.