Jeremiah

Jeremiah 28: His word always proves true

Begin in prayer

Before we read about a false prophet who promised peace, let us come to the LORD in prayer together. Ask Him to help us trust that His word is true, to meet with our family now, and to show us Christ, the true Word of God.

The counsel of Yahweh stands fast forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Psalms 33:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your counsel stands forever and that Your word is true, and help us not to trust comforting lies. Show us Christ, the true Word, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon, promises in the LORD’s house that Babylon’s yoke will break within two years (verses 1 to 4). Jeremiah replies that he hopes the promise comes true, but he reminds Hananiah that earlier prophets spoke of war and disaster (verses 5 to 8). Jeremiah says a prophet is known by whether his word comes to pass (verse 9). Hananiah breaks the wooden bar from Jeremiah’s neck, and the LORD sends Jeremiah back with a message of iron (verses 10 to 14). The LORD says Hananiah will die this year, because he has spoken rebellion against Him (verses 15 and 16). Hananiah dies in the seventh month of that same year (verse 17).

As you read Jeremiah 28, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD keeps His word, and every false promise of peace will fail.

Hananiah the prophet promised the LORD’s people that the yoke of Babylon would be broken within two full years (verses 1 to 4). Jeremiah reminds Hananiah that earlier prophets spoke of war, evil and pestilence (verse 8). A prophet who promises peace is known to be sent by the LORD only when his word comes true (verse 9). Hananiah breaks the wooden bar from Jeremiah’s neck, a sign that he claims the LORD will break Babylon’s yoke (verses 10 and 11). The LORD says Hananiah’s wooden bars become a yoke of iron on the nations’ necks (verses 13 and 14). Jeremiah tells Hananiah that the LORD did not send him, and that his message has made the people trust a lie (verse 15). The LORD says Hananiah will die that year, because he spoke rebellion against Him (verse 16). Jesus is the true Word of God, and He keeps every promise, so turn from sin and trust Him alone.

How does Jeremiah 28 show us that the LORD keeps His word, and that every false promise of peace will fail?

False peace that does not come from the LORD is a lie.

Hananiah promised peace and an end to Babylon’s yoke, but the LORD did not send him (verses 1 and 15). Jeremiah says that false prophets make the people trust a lie, and not the LORD’s word (verse 15). Jesus alone gives true peace with God, because He bore the judgment for His people and rose again.

The LORD’s word always comes true.

Jeremiah says a prophet is known by whether his word happens, and the LORD’s word always happens (verse 9). The LORD says Hananiah will die, and he dies that year, so His word proved true (verses 16 and 17). Jesus is the faithful Word of God, and every promise of God is kept in Him.

The LORD judges those who speak in His name without His word.

Hananiah spoke in the LORD’s name without being sent, and the LORD says he has spoken rebellion (verses 15 and 16). The LORD sends Hananiah away from the earth, and he dies in the seventh month of that same year (verse 17). Judgment is real, and Jesus is the only Savior.

Memorize

The prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet shall happen, then shall the prophet be known, that Yahweh has truly sent him.

Jeremiah 28:9

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what easy peace do I want to hear, and will I trust Jesus instead?

Hananiah stood in the LORD’s house and said, “I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon,” and the people wanted that hope. Jeremiah wished the words were true. But a false promise of peace cannot save anyone, because the LORD had not sent him (verse 15).

Real peace with God comes through the cross. Our sin keeps us under a heavier yoke than Babylon’s, and we cannot break it ourselves. Jesus bore the judgment our sin deserved for His people, and God raised Him on the third day. His work is finished and enough for all who trust Him, so no false prophet can offer what Christ has done.

So come to Jesus, the Word who cannot lie, and turn from your sin. Trust Him alone, and every sinner who comes to Him will be forgiven and will find peace with God. The LORD keeps every promise He makes, and He will keep His promise to all who come.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD keeps His word, and that false promises of peace will fail. Parents, you may want to explain Hananiah’s false message and how the LORD judged him in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to trust Jesus, the true Word of God, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word is true and that He keeps every promise, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one speak to the LORD in a short prayer.

Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.

Psalms 119:89

Lord, thank You that Your word is settled in heaven forever, and that every promise You make is true. Forgive us for listening to comfortable words that do not come from You. Thank You for Jesus, the true Word, who bore our judgment and rose again. Help each of us to turn from sin and trust Him this week. Amen.