July 29, 2018
What does it say?
Hananiah prophesied that the yoke of Babylon would be broken within two years. Jeremiah said that Hananiah’s life would end for preaching rebellion against the Lord.
What does it mean?
It wasn’t difficult for Hananiah to persuade people to believe his lies; it was what they wanted to hear. But claiming to speak in the name of the Lord is a serious matter. There was only one way to prove that any prophet was truly a prophet of the Lord – what he preached had to come true. Jeremiah didn’t respond on his own to Hananiah’s challenge or dramatic breaking of the wooden yoke. Instead, he waited for God to send a message. Hananiah’s death, coming two months later, exposed him as a false prophet and proved Jeremiah to be the true prophet of the Lord.
How should I respond?
Our culture challenges God’s Word in some way every day. While standing for truth is important, how you do it may determine the impact of your words. First, make sure your convictions are based on scriptural commands and principles, not your own opinions or wishes. Then pray for discernment to know when to speak up and the boldness to do so. Those who challenge God’s Word often seem to have louder and more influential voices than ours. Just know that God will hold accountable anyone who challenges Him. What message from God’s Word do you need to pass along today?