This chapter contrasts two prophets. Hananiah was a false prophet. Jeremiah was a true prophet. Hananiah was a false prophet because he spoke false words. He said that the Lord had told him that within two years, He would throw the yoke of the king of Babylon off the necks of the people of Judah. Furthermore, the Lord would also bring back all the articles the Babylonians had carried from the Lord's house and had taken to Babylon. The Lord was also to bring back Jehoiachin, the King of Judah, who had been taken to Babylon.

Jeremiah said, "Amen!" to Hananiah's message. It would indeed be a great thing if what Hananiah spoke was true. But then Jeremiah pointed out that Hananiah's message contradicted all who came before him. A prophet cannot be considered a true prophet unless his word comes true.

Jeremiah didn't say anything else until the Lord gave him a message to give to Hananiah. The wooden yoke would be turned into an iron one. King Nebuchadnezzar's rule would be like an iron yoke around the neck of Judah. And because Hananiah spoke the false word of the Lord, he would die.


Application: Father, sometimes your word is hard to tell others because it sounds harsh, and the people don't like to hear it. Give me the courage to speak your word truly, as Jeremiah did.
One Word: Speak God's word truthfully