Jeremiah Confronted by a False Prophet

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off Jeremiah’s neck and broke it in pieces.  And Hananiah said again to the crowd that had gathered, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Just as this yoke has been broken, within two years I will break the yoke of oppression from all the nations now subject to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.’”  (Jeremiah 28:10-11 NLT)

            There are many voices competing for the attention of people both here in the United States and around the world.  Some of them are worthy servants of God who are preaching true Biblical theology, and are proclaiming the gospel as set forth by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.  Others such as those associated with the New Apostolic Reformation, the Emergent church, Word of Faith, the New Religious Right along with others who according to Brannon Howse in his book Religious Trojan Horse (Worldview Weekend Publishing 2012) are preaching a false gospel that Paul says in Galatians 1:8 is accursed.

            Jeremiah was confronted in the courtyard of the Temple by Hananiah, who claimed to be a prophet from the Lord.  Hananiah declared that the subjection of the people to King Nebuchadnezzar would be broken in two years and the captives and treasures would be returned.  Jeremiah responded in what I believe was a sarcastic manner,

“Amen!  May your prophecies come true.  I hope the Lord does everything you say.  I hope he does bring back from Babylon the treasures of this Temple and all the captives.”  (Jer. 28:6)

            But remember this, “A prophet who predicts peace must show he is right.  Only when his predictions come true can we know that he is really from the Lord.”  (Jeremiah 28:9)

            Jeremiah knew that Hananiah was a false prophet because God had told him that the captives would spend seventy years in captivity before being released to return to their land. 

            Then Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah!  The Lord has not sent you, but the people believe your lies.”  (Jeremiah 28:15)

            People are believing the lies of false prophets today who are leading people astray with their “pagan spirituality, dominion theology, communitarianism, and other foolish notions” that have no basis in Biblical theology. 

            Sadly, many so-called conservative theologians are allowing themselves to be used and duped by the doublespeak of these false prophets. 

            Jesus said, “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.”  (Matthew 24:24 NLT).