Hananiah’s Lie

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True and False Prophets – Jeremiah 28

Dear Friends, in Jeremiah 28 we are given a vivid and sobering picture of the difference between a true prophet and a false one. The setting is the temple in Jerusalem, early in the reign of Zedekiah. The nation is under the growing pressure of Babylon, and the people are desperate for a word of hope.

Into this situation steps Hananiah the prophet. In front of the priests and all the people he boldly declares that the Lord has broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years, he says, the temple vessels taken to Babylon will be returned, and Jeconiah and all the exiles will come home. It is a message of rapid deliverance and national restoration — exactly what the people wanted to hear.

Jeremiah is also present. He responds carefully at first, saying that he hopes the word may come true, but then he adds a searching test: the prophet who prophesies peace can only be known as truly sent by the Lord when his word comes to pass. Later the Lord sends Jeremiah back with a clear and hard message. Hananiah has not been sent by God. He has made the people trust in a lie. As a result, Hananiah himself will die that very year. Within two months the word is fulfilled — Hananiah dies.

The chapter is a powerful reminder that not every message that claims to be from God actually is. Popular words of comfort and quick solutions can be more dangerous than hard truth when they do not come from the Lord. Jeremiah was willing to stand alone with an unpopular word because he feared God more than he feared the opinion of the crowd.

For us today the challenge remains. We must test every teaching and every claim against the clear word of Scripture. Easy messages that remove the need for repentance or endurance may sound attractive, but only the word that God has truly spoken will stand. Better a hard truth from the Lord than a comforting lie that leads us away from Him.


Pause & Pray: Ask the Lord to give you a love for His truth even when it is difficult. Pray for discernment to recognise teaching that is not from Him, and for courage to hold fast to what He has actually said in His Word.

Verse to Remember: “When the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” (Jeremiah 28:9 ESV)

Question to Consider: Am I more drawn to messages that make me feel comfortable, or to the truth of God’s Word even when it challenges me?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church

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