Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Discusses the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing the importance of prophecy fulfillment.

1 John 4:1
Encourages believers to test the spirits to see whether they are from God, as many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
Warns of a time when people will not endure sound doctrine but will gather teachers to suit their own desires.The Setting and Characters
Jeremiah 28 takes place during the reign of King Zedekiah, a time of political turmoil and impending Babylonian domination.
Jeremiah, a true prophet of God, is contrasted with Hananiah, a false prophet who delivers a message of peace and prosperity.

The False Prophecy of Hananiah
Hananiah boldly declares, This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon’ (Jeremiah 28:2).
He promises that within two years, the exiles will return and the temple vessels will be restored, offering a message of hope that contradicts God's true word through Jeremiah.

Jeremiah's Response
Jeremiah initially responds with a cautious Amen, expressing a desire for Hananiah's words to be true but reminding the people of the historical pattern of true prophecy (Jeremiah 28:6-9).
He emphasizes that true prophets are often known by their messages of warning and repentance, not just peace.

The Consequence of False Prophecy
God instructs Jeremiah to confront Hananiah, declaring, Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, and you have led this people to trust in a lie (Jeremiah 28:15).
Hananiah's fate is sealed as Jeremiah prophesies his death, which occurs within the same year, confirming Jeremiah's authenticity as a prophet of God.Discernment in Listening
Be cautious of messages that promise peace and prosperity without calling for repentance and obedience to God.
Test every message against the truth of Scripture, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Faithfulness to God's Word
Stand firm in the truth of God's Word, even when it is unpopular or contradicts the prevailing cultural narrative.
Recognize that true prophecy often involves difficult truths and calls for repentance.

Accountability for Leaders
Hold spiritual leaders accountable to the truth of Scripture, ensuring their teachings align with God's Word.
Encourage leaders to prioritize faithfulness over popularity.1. Jeremiah
Jeremiah is the prophet of the Lord, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance to the people of Judah. In this chapter, he is confronted by Hananiah and responds to his false prophecy. Jeremiah's role is to faithfully deliver God's true message, even when it is unpopular.

2. Hananiah
Hananiah is identified as a false prophet who opposes Jeremiah. He delivers a message of peace and restoration, claiming that the Lord will break the yoke of Babylon and return the exiles and temple articles within two years. His prophecy is in direct contradiction to what God has revealed to Jeremiah.

3. The Priests and All the People
These are the audience present in the temple when Hananiah delivers his false prophecy. They witness the confrontation between Hananiah and Jeremiah. Their presence highlights the public nature of prophetic declarations and the influence such messages have on the community.

4. The Lord (Yahweh)
While not a human character, the Lord is central to the narrative as the source of true prophecy. The chapter underscores the importance of discerning God's true message from falsehood. The Hebrew name for the Lord, Yahweh (יהוה), is significant in understanding the covenant relationship between God and His people.1. Gibeon
This is the place where Hananiah, the son of Azzur, is from. Gibeon was a significant city in the territory of Benjamin, known for its historical and religious importance. In Hebrew, Gibeon is "גִּבְעוֹן" (Giv'on), which means "hill city."

2. Jerusalem
The events of Jeremiah 28 take place in Jerusalem, specifically in the house of the LORD, which refers to the temple. Jerusalem, in Hebrew "יְרוּשָׁלַיִם" (Yerushalayim), is the central city of worship and the political and spiritual heart of Israel.1. Hananiah's False Prophecy
Hananiah, the son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, speaks in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people. He claims that the LORD has broken the yoke of the king of Babylon and that within two years, the exiles and the articles of the LORD's house will be returned to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 28:1-4).

2. Jeremiah's Response
Jeremiah the prophet responds to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people. He expresses a hope that the LORD will indeed fulfill Hananiah's prophecy but reminds them that true prophets are known by the fulfillment of their prophecies (Jeremiah 28:5-9).

3. Hananiah's Symbolic Act
Hananiah takes the yoke off the neck of Jeremiah and breaks it, symbolically declaring that the LORD will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, from the neck of all nations within two years (Jeremiah 28:10-11).

4. The LORD's Word to Jeremiah
After Hananiah's act, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah. The LORD instructs Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that he has broken wooden yokes but will replace them with iron yokes, signifying a stronger bondage under Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 28:12-14).

5. Jeremiah's Pronouncement of Judgment
Jeremiah tells Hananiah that the LORD has not sent him and that he has made the people trust in a lie. Consequently, the LORD declares that Hananiah will die within the year because he has preached rebellion against the LORD (Jeremiah 28:15-16).

6. Fulfillment of Jeremiah's Prophecy
In the seventh month of that same year, Hananiah the prophet dies, fulfilling the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 28:17).1. Hananiah's False Prophecy
Hananiah, the son of Azzur, a prophet from Gibeon, falsely prophesies that the LORD will break the yoke of the king of Babylon within two years, returning the exiles and the temple articles. This is a direct contradiction to Jeremiah's earlier prophecies. The Hebrew root for "prophet" (נָבִיא, ^navi^) is significant here, as it highlights the role and responsibility of a true prophet.

2. Jeremiah's Response to Hananiah
Jeremiah responds to Hananiah's prophecy by expressing a hope that it might be true but reminds the people that true prophets are proven by the fulfillment of their prophecies. Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of discerning true prophecy, rooted in the Hebrew word for "word" (דָּבָר, ^davar^), which signifies the authoritative message from God.

3. The Breaking of the Yoke
Hananiah physically breaks the wooden yoke from Jeremiah's neck, symbolizing his prophecy that God will break the yoke of Babylon. This act is symbolic and dramatic, yet it is based on falsehood. The Hebrew word for "yoke" (עֹל, ^ol^) is used metaphorically to represent subjugation and oppression.

4. The LORD's Word to Jeremiah
After Hananiah's actions, the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah, instructing him to tell Hananiah that he has replaced the wooden yoke with an iron yoke, signifying a stronger and more unbreakable bondage under Babylon. This underscores the seriousness of false prophecy and the unchangeable nature of God's true word.

5. Judgment on Hananiah
Jeremiah delivers a message of judgment from the LORD to Hananiah, declaring that because he has led the people to trust in lies, he will die within the year. This prophecy is fulfilled, as Hananiah dies in the seventh month of that year. The Hebrew root for "lie" (שֶׁקֶר, ^sheker^) is crucial here, emphasizing the gravity of deceit in spiritual matters.1. False Prophecy
Jeremiah 28 addresses the issue of false prophecy, as demonstrated by the actions of Hananiah. He falsely claims, "This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon’" (Jeremiah 28:2). The Hebrew root for "false" (שקר, sheker) emphasizes deception and untruth, highlighting the danger of misleading messages.

2. Divine Authority
The chapter underscores the importance of divine authority in prophecy. Jeremiah responds to Hananiah by affirming the true word of the LORD, saying, "Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill the words you have prophesied" (Jeremiah 28:6). The Hebrew term for "LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) signifies the covenantal and authoritative nature of God’s word.

3. Judgment and Consequences
A theme of judgment and consequences is evident when Jeremiah warns Hananiah of the repercussions of his false prophecy: "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, but you have led this people to trust in a lie" (Jeremiah 28:15). The Hebrew word for "lie" (שקר, sheker) again emphasizes the gravity of leading others astray.

4. Prophetic Validation
The chapter highlights the validation of true prophecy through fulfillment. Jeremiah states, "As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only when the word of the prophet comes to pass will the prophet be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD" (Jeremiah 28:9). This underscores the Hebrew concept of "peace" (שלום, shalom) as a sign of God’s true message.

5. Divine Sovereignty
The theme of divine sovereignty is evident as God’s ultimate plan prevails despite human deception. Jeremiah declares, "I will remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD" (Jeremiah 28:16). The Hebrew root for "rebellion" (מרד, marad) indicates defiance against God’s sovereign will.1. In Jeremiah 28:1–4, how can Hananiah’s prophecy of a short Babylonian captivity be trusted given the historical evidence of a much longer exile?

2. In Jeremiah 28:6–9, why did the people not reject Hananiah immediately if his prophecy contradicted Jeremiah and Deuteronomy 18:22 on false prophets?

3. In Jeremiah 28:10–13, why is there no archaeological evidence of the symbolic wooden and iron yokes Jeremiah mentions?

4. In Jeremiah 28:15–17, are there any historical records outside Scripture confirming Hananiah’s death within the same year, as Jeremiah foretells?

5. How do we reconcile Jeremiah’s condemnation of Hananiah (Jeremiah 28) with other biblical texts where God tolerates or uses unexpected prophets to deliver messages?

1. How does Jeremiah 28 illustrate the challenge in distinguishing true prophecy from false prophecy?

2. In verses 5-9, why does Jeremiah respond to Hananiah's prophecy with cautious optimism? How can this be applied to the discernment of information today?

3. What significance does the symbolic yoke have in this chapter, and what does it represent?

4. What can we learn about God's character from the way He deals with Hananiah's false prophecy?

5. How does Jeremiah's prophecy against Hananiah emphasize the importance of truth in the face of comforting falsehoods?

6. Discuss the role of false prophecy in today's context. How can we ensure we are not led astray by misinformation?

7. How does Hananiah's death verify the true word of God?

8. How does this chapter challenge you to test the information you receive against the word of God?

9. How does Jeremiah 28 inspire you to have faith in God's plan, even when the outcome might seem harsh or difficult?

10. How might this chapter shape your understanding of prophecy and its role in spiritual life?

11. How can Jeremiah's prophetic integrity in this chapter serve as an example for Christians today?

12. How does Jeremiah's handling of the situation provide guidance for confronting false teaching in our society?

13. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah's confrontation with Hananiah to our lives in the context of discerning truth from falsehood?

14. What do you think motivated Hananiah to give a false prophecy? How can we guard ourselves against similar motivations?

15. How does the judgment of Hananiah impact your understanding of God's attitude towards those who mislead His people?

16. How does the fate of Hananiah underline the seriousness of speaking in God's name?

17. What can Jeremiah's actions teach us about dealing with opposition and deception in our own lives?

18. How does the faithfulness of Jeremiah inspire you in your walk with God?

19. How might the prophecy of the iron yoke apply to contemporary situations where oppression or hardship seem to persist?

20. How can you apply the teachings from this chapter to deepen your faith, especially in situations when God's plan seems harsh or difficult to understand?