What is the meaning of Jeremiah 28:9? As for the prophet who prophesies peace Jeremiah is answering Hananiah, who had just declared that God would break Babylon’s yoke within two years (Jeremiah 28:1-4). • God’s genuine prophets in Jeremiah’s day—Jeremiah, Uriah, Ezekiel—were warning of judgment and exile (Jeremiah 25:8-11; Ezekiel 12:17-20). • “They dress the wound of My people with very little care, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14) shows the danger of soothing lies. • Micah 3:5 notes, “Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead My people astray… they proclaim peace if they have something to eat.” The verse raises a red flag: any voice promising comfort while ignoring God’s stated warnings must be held to strict scrutiny. only if the word of the prophet comes true Fulfilled prophecy is the God-given test. • Deuteronomy 18:21-22 says, “If the sign or wonder spoken of… does not take place or come to pass, that prophet has spoken presumptuously.” • 1 Samuel 3:19 affirms Samuel as genuine because “the LORD… let none of his words fall to the ground.” • Isaiah 41:23 records God’s challenge to idols: “Declare to us the things to come, that we may know you are gods.” God alone sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). Therefore, accuracy is not a helpful suggestion—it is the biblical standard for anyone claiming divine revelation. will the prophet be recognized Recognition (“known,” “validated”) follows verification. • Jesus applied the same principle: “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16-20). • Paul urges, “Do not despise prophecies, but test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). • John warns, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). God’s people are not to accept or reject claims blindly; they weigh them against Scripture and observed fulfillment. Only then is a messenger granted credibility in the covenant community. as one the LORD has truly sent True prophets are divine emissaries, not self-appointed influencers. • Jeremiah 1:7-8 details Jeremiah’s own sending: “You must go to everyone I send you.” • In contrast, God laments, “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with a message” (Jeremiah 23:21). • When a prophecy happens exactly as foretold, it vindicates both the message and the messenger, proving that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10). Fulfillment becomes God’s signature, authenticating His servant and underscoring that the Lord, not human optimism, authored the promise. summary Jeremiah 28:9 teaches that soothing predictions of peace must be tested by their fulfillment. If the forecast materializes, the prophet was sent by God; if it fails, the speaker is exposed as false. Scripture’s unbending standard—fulfilled prophecy—protects believers from deception, guides them to discern genuine messengers, and magnifies the faithfulness of the One who “watches over His word to accomplish it” (Jeremiah 1:12). |
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