1. Hananiah proclaims good news (1-11)

Hananiah claimed to speak God's word. He prophesied that God would break the yoke of Babylon and restore Jerusalem in two years. This was good news, and everyone, including Jeremiah, said 'Amen.' Then Hananiah dramatically illustrated his message by breaking the wooden yoke that Jeremiah was wearing as a symbol of captivity (27:2). The problem was, Hananiah was lying!

2. A nation persuaded to trust lies (12-17)

Jeremiah wanted peace, too. At first he remained silent because he had no clear word from God. Then God revealed to him the tragic events that lay in Judah's future: The yoke of wood would become a yoke of iron and Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, would rule with absolute sovereignty. The false prophet would die, for he had preached lies to the people and rebellion against the Lord. Anyone who teaches what people want to hear instead of what God has said is a false prophet.

Application: Lord, help me to declare your word truthfully--whether people like it or not.
One Word: Teach God's word truthfully