Jeremiah 28:1-17
1 In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, early in the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people: 2 “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the LORD’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon removed from here and took to Babylon. 4 I will also bring back to this place Jehoiachin [a] son of Jehoiakim king of Judah and all the other exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ “
Are you questioning whether a prophet who has been sent to speak a word to you, your ministry or the ministers of your church is from God? There are many people prophesying and speaking into this season and the season to come. In the midst of all the words one thing is sure: We must know the voice of the Lord verses that of a stranger.
Jeremiah was standing before a King and the people, when a prophet named Hananiah came boldly to him and began to PROPHESY a word from the Lord. (Please NOTE that the scriptures called Hananiah a “prophet.”) As you read and study Jeremiah 28, you will quickly discern that this prophet is indeed challenging Jeremiah’s authority and office as a prophet. You see, the scriptures show us that Hananiah made it a point to speak DIRECTLY to Jeremiah and he did it openly “in the house of the Lord” and in the presence of “priests and their congregation.”
Clearly, this prophet had something to prove in the midst of his immaturity, haughtiness, pride and blatant arrogance. This prophet had an agenda. He had a desire to influence and manipulate the people. But when HE STOOD before a SENT PROPHET of the Lord, he brought judgment on himself in a greater way…
This was a divine appointment from the Father. Prophets, don’t allow fear to keep you from your divine assignment… in this season…
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah before the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD. 6 He said, “Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied by bringing the articles of the LORD’s house and all the exiles back to this place from Babylon. 7 Nevertheless, listen to what I have to say in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people: 8 From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true.”
Jeremiah, who had been chosen by God and assigned to these people, responded to Hananiah with great discernment (matured only through prayer and humility) and great wisdom. He didn’t back down in fear, cower before the challenge or withhold the word. He didn’t give up and go down the street because another “prophet” had spoken. He didn’t even call Hananiah a “lying prophet” even though he knew that he was. Just as he was challenged before the people, he challenged Hananiah by saying, literally: “WOW! Great word Hananiah! IF THE LORD SAID IT… he will do it because HE always performs His word.”
Immediately after saying this, he gave a stearn warning to Hananiah, the priest and to the people saying:
- Has the Lord ever prophesied this before concerning these people?
- Judge this word that Hananiah has prophesied by the words the Lord spoke to His prophets of old. Then he said, I come in the name of the same God that they served.
- You will know the Lord has spoken if what the prophet Hananiah says come to past.
Now, I want to stop here for a moment. There are many TRUE prophets in the earth, but there are even more FALSE PROPHETS. Satan needs a crowd to make a lot of noise, but God doesn’t. He only needs a few who are willing to follow Him.
Get ready saints, because you are surrounded by Hananiahs in this season — tons of false prophets making much noise. Yet, it is the Lord who will prevail in the end. When confronted with the false, we must uproot it with truth. Everything God speaks will lead back to His word… his will… his purposes….
NOTE: It doesn’t take an army to confront a false prophet, only one who willing to speak out on behalf of the Lord. Cover your pastors, your leaders, your ministries in prayer. Saturate them in intercession like never before so you will KNOW what the Lord is saying before the false comes… and watch God move on their behalf…
