Jeremiah 28:15-17

Jeremiah 28:15-17 (ESV): “15 And Jeremiah the prophet said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah, the Lord has not sent you, and you have made this people trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the Lord.’ ” 17 In that same year, in the seventh month, the prophet Hananiah died.”

God takes it very seriously when someone speaks falsely in His name. Under the Old Covenant, the consequence for falsely prophesying was death. God does not tolerate being misrepresented.

While Jeremiah was prophesying about the coming Babylonian captivity of Judah, a false prophecy arose in Jerusalem from a prophet named Hananiah. He falsely claimed that God told him Judah’s captivity would last only two years, after which God would restore them. Jeremiah declared that this was a lie and reaffirmed the word of the former prophets: war, famine, and bondage awaited them. Because Hananiah had prophesied falsely, the Lord told him he would die that same year—and in the seventh month, he did.

We must beware of those who say, “Thus says the Lord,” when the Lord has not spoken. It is not wrong to prophesy, but it is wrong to prophesy falsely. We are commanded to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1). Prophecy is not only foretelling future events but also forth-telling the truth of God’s Word. Therefore, it is possible to prophesy falsely by twisting Scripture with deceptive intent. Sadly, many do this to promote their own agendas. Beware of such people, and strive to speak God’s truth faithfully. Amen?

Father, we thank You for warning us about the deception of false prophets. Keep our minds alert and our hearts discerning according to Your Word. Let truth prevail in our hearts, and use us as vessels to speak on Your behalf. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.