Jeremiah 28:1 - Meaning and Application

This conflict between a true prophet and a false one is said to have happened at the beginning of Zedekiah’s reign, and yet also in his fourth year. The first four years could still be called the beginning, or earlier part, of his reign, because during that time he ruled under the king of Babylon and paid him tribute. Later, he rebelled against Babylon, so that part of his reign could rightly be called the later period. In that fourth year he went personally to Babylon (see Jeremiah 51:59), and that may have led the people to hope he would settle the war peacefully. The false prophets encouraged that hope, especially Hananiah, who came from Gibeon, a city of priests, and may himself have been a priest, like Jeremiah.

Here we have the message Hananiah gave publicly, with great ceremony, in the house of the Lord and in the Lord’s name. He spoke before the priests and all the people, who probably expected a word from God. He stood face to face with Jeremiah and addressed the prophecy directly to him (Jeremiah 28:1), clearly meaning to challenge and contradict him. In effect, he was saying, “Jeremiah, you are lying.” Hananiah claimed that the power of the king of Babylon, at least over Judah and Jerusalem, would soon be broken. He said that within two full years the temple vessels would be brought back, and Jeremiah and all the captives taken with him would return, while Jeremiah had said the Babylonian yoke would only grow heavier and that the vessels and captives would not return for 70 years (Jeremiah 28:2-4).

When we compare this false prophecy with the messages God gave through his true prophets, the difference is plain. Hananiah’s words have none of the spiritual power, majesty, or holy force seen in God’s prophets. What is especially missing is any call to piety. He speaks confidently about the return of peace, but he says nothing about repentance, reform, prayer, or turning back to God. He promises outward mercy in God’s name, but he says nothing about the inward mercy God always promised to go with it, such as giving them hearts to know him (Jeremiah 24:7). This shows that, whatever he claimed, he had only the spirit of this world, not the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 2:12). He wanted to please people, not help them.

Jeremiah’s reply to this false prophecy shows both his love for his people and his faithfulness to God. First, he sincerely wished Hananiah’s words could come true. He cared so deeply for his country and wanted its good so much that he would accept the charge of being a false prophet if only disaster could be avoided. He said, “Amen, may the Lord do so; may the Lord fulfill your words” (Jeremiah 28:5-6). This was not the first time Jeremiah had prayed for his people, even while he prophesied against them and knew judgment was coming. In the same way, Christ prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me,” even though he knew it could not pass from him. As a faithful prophet, Jeremiah saw and announced Jerusalem’s destruction, but as a faithful Israelite, he still prayed earnestly for its safety, obeying the command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

God’s purpose is the rule for prophecy and patient endurance, but his command is the rule for prayer and action. God himself has determined judgment, yet he does not desire the death of sinners, but wants all to be saved. Jeremiah had often pleaded for his people (Jeremiah 18:20). The false prophets tried to win the people by promising peace, but Jeremiah showed that he loved them just as much as their favorite prophets did. He had no authority from God to promise peace, but he still wanted it and prayed for it. It is strange that the people favored those who did them the greatest harm by flattering them, and hated the man who did them the greatest good by praying for them (Jeremiah 27:18).

Second, Jeremiah appealed to the outcome to show Hananiah was false (Jeremiah 28:7-9). The false prophets criticized Jeremiah, just as Ahab criticized Micaiah, because he never prophesied good things about them, only evil. Jeremiah replied that this was nothing unusual, since the earlier prophets had also prophesied against many lands and great kingdoms. They boldly delivered the messages God gave them, without fearing people or trying to please them, unlike Hananiah. They freely warned of war, famine, and disease, and everyone accepted that such warnings came from God. So why should Jeremiah be attacked as a troublemaker and a dangerous man when he preached just as God’s prophets had always preached before him?

It is true that other prophets sometimes foretold destruction that did not happen, but that did not prove they were not sent by God, as Jonah’s case shows. God is merciful and ready to turn from judgment when people turn from their sins. But when a prophet predicts peace and prosperity, especially as Hananiah did, and does so absolutely, without warning that stubborn sin can block God’s blessing, that prophet can be known as true only if the prediction actually happens. If it comes to pass, then people will know the Lord sent him. If it does not, he will be exposed as a liar and an impostor.