Discerning False Information

 By: Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 28

 

Jeremiah 28:9

As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”

(ESV)

 

Today is Pearl Harbor Day, a day set aside to honor those that lost their lives in a vicious surprise attack by the Japanese on the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor. I want to begin this post by remembering not only those that lost their lives at Pearl Harbor but also those serving in the military, law enforcement, and first responders. The last couple of years have been challenging for these individuals. Know that I and many others that read this blog are praying for you.

 

After his prophecy in Jeremiah 27, Jeremiah is confronted by the prophet Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:1). Hananiah claims his prophecy comes from the Lord and contradicts the word of the Lord from Jeremiah in that he says the Lord has broken the yoke of the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 28:2). Hananiah continues by telling the people the exile will only last two years with God not only returning the vessels from the Temple carried to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar but also the exiles and Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jeremiah 28:3-4).

 

Jeremiah makes an interesting response in that he expresses his desire that the words of Hananiah would come true (Jeremiah 28:5-6). Possibly this initial response was an expression of Jeremiah’s heart, not wanting the people he loved to go into exile. Jeremiah then issues a word of caution to Hananiah in front of all the people by reminding him that the prophets preceding him also prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries (Jeremiah 28:8). When a prophet prophesies peace, the test of his or her word coming from the Lord is the prophecy coming to pass. Perhaps emboldened by Jeremiah’s initial response, Hananiah removes and breaks the yoke around Jeremiah’s neck to illustrate the Lord has broken the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 28:10-11).

 

After leaving the Temple, Jeremiah receives a word from the Lord, instructing him to confront Hananiah, telling him that he has broken a wooden yoke from his neck but put on an iron yoke to serve Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 28:12-14). Jeremiah then tells Hananiah that the Lord has not sent him and that he has made the people believe a lie. The prophecy against Hananiah is that he will die within the year, something that happened in the seventh month (Jeremiah 28:15-17).

 

Having the benefit of hindsight, we know that the exile of Judah in Babylon lasted 70 years not just two years. Using the test of a prophet from Deuteronomy 18:22, we know that the prophecy of Hananiah that claims to be from the Lord was a false prophecy because it did not happen. However, the people in the Temple did not have the benefit of hindsight and must decide whether to believe the prophecy of Jeremiah offered in Jeremiah 27 or the prophecy of Hananiah offered in Jeremiah 28:1-6. Only two years of exile would have been more appealing for it meant less time away from the homeland but if the prophecy is untrue, it sets people up with a false expectation of a short-term exile. As a short-term test of a prophet, the Lord gives Jeremiah a word from the Lord for Hananiah that his prophecy is not from the Lord and that he will die within a year (Jeremiah 28:16). Jeremiah’s prophecy comes true with Hananiah dying in the seventh month of that year, indicating that his other prophecy about Hananiah’s prophecy not being from the Lord may also be true.

 

One of the benefits of living in the information age is the abundance of information available at our fingertips. While this is a benefit with its convenience, not all the information available online is true, including teachings purporting to come from the Lord. Fortunately, unlike the people in the time of Jeremiah and Hananiah, we have the Bible, the word of God as a standard of truth. Believers also have the counsel of the Holy Spirit as our counselor (John 14:26). However, to use these tools of interpreting Scripture, one must study the Word of God and be a believer. If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.