‏ Jeremiah 28

* A false prophet opposes Jeremiah. (1-9) The false prophet

warned of his approaching death. (10-17)

1-9 Hananiah spoke a false prophecy. Here is not a word of good

counsel urging the Jews to repent and return to God. He promises

temporal mercies, in God's name, but makes no mention of the

spiritual mercies which God always promised with earthly

blessings. This was not the first time Jeremiah had prayed for

the people, though he prophesied against them. He appeals to the

event, to prove Hananiah's falsehood. The prophet who spake only

of peace and prosperity, without adding that they must not by

wilful sin stop God's favours, will be proved a false prophet.

Those who do not declare the alarming as well as the encouraging

parts of God's word, and call men to repentance, and faith, and

holiness, tread in the steps of the false prophets. The gospel

of Christ encourages men to do works meet for repentance, but

gives no encouragement to continue in sin. 10-17 Hananiah is sentenced to die, and Jeremiah, when he has

received direction from God, boldly tells him so; but not before

he received that commission. Those have much to answer for, who

tell sinners that they shall have peace, though they harden

their hearts in contempt of God's word. The servant of God must

be gentle to all men. He must give up even his right, and leave

the Lord to plead his cause. Every attempt of ungodly men to

make vain the purposes of God, will add to their miseries.