A Trial Of Contradictory Prophesies.

A TRIAL OF CONTRADICTORY PROPHECIES.

Jeremiah 28:5-9.

One of the false prophets, Hananiah, prophesied that the exile would only last two years (cf. Jeremiah 28:1-4). This was a lie of the devil (cf. Jeremiah 28:15).

Somewhat ironically, Hananiah’s name means, ‘the grace of the LORD.’ But Hananiah’s message ran contrary to the purposes of the LORD as revealed to Jeremiah (whose name means, ‘the LORD will cast forth’).

It is not as if Jeremiah desired ‘the woeful day’ (cf. Jeremiah 17:16), but the LORD had already told Jeremiah that the exile would last seventy years (cf. Jeremiah 25:11). So, beware of those who say ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace (cf. Jeremiah 6:14).

Jeremiah’s response to Hananiah was gracious: “May the LORD do so!” (JEREMIAH 28:6). Yet Jeremiah knew better, and suggested that his own prophecy be compared with the prophecies of old (JEREMIAH 28:8); and that Hananiah’s veracity as a prophet be examined by the Deuteronomic test (JEREMIAH 28:9).

‘When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing that the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously’ (cf. Deuteronomy 18:22).

The sentence against such a prophet was death (cf. Deuteronomy 18:20). And by the end of our present chapter, Hananiah would be dead (cf. Jeremiah 28:16-17).

Let us beware of believing a thing simply because we wish it to be so; but rather let us try the spirits (cf. 1 John 4:1), and measure any advice received by the acid test of the word of God.