Punishments for False Prophecy (Jeremiah 28)

“And it came to pass the same year in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon. Spake unto me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon” Jeremiah 28: 1-3

This happened when the Israelites had been taken captive by the king of Babylon, Hananiah did not hear from God but because he wanted to make the people happy he gave them a consoling prophecy which he claimed came from God. He said God will restore Israel and break the yoke of Babylon. Even prophet Jeremiah said amen to his prophecy.

Many people will ask, what is wrong with what Hananiah did? To us as humans there is nothing wrong with it, but God said he has not sent this man with this goodwill message. Though it might have been a good message but God did not send him.

Just like today most Christians would rather here good prophecies that they will have a child this year, they will become millionaires this year. Surely it is good to say good things in your own favor. But did God send this prophet to tell you this? Or did the prophet make this up by himself? Jeremiah the prophet of God said amen to the prophecy even though he knew in his heart that God did not send Hananiah because God had given him, Jeremiah a contrary message, which was not a message of peace like the one Hananiah brought before the people.

Many of our prophets, pastors, priest no longer preach anything other than prosperity messages! Is anything wrong with that? Yes and no. it is good to edify the people with good messages but what about telling them the truth about how the Lord works? Are they truly telling the people they prophecy to the truth about God? These are the questions we should ask ourselves.

So Jeremiah cautioned by saying this in verse 7-9 of the same chapter. “Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and the ears of all the people; the prophets that have been before me and before thee of the old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him”

Many prophets, priests, pastors these days just like during the time of Jeremiah only prophesy good things. Jeremiah said we will only know that they are from God if and only their prophecies come to pass.

In verse 12 to 14 of Jeremiah 28, God sent Jeremiah to Hananiah to inform him that his prophesies were fake. In verse 15, Jeremiah told Hananiah this

“Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, hear now, Hananiah, the Lord hath not sent thee, but thou makest this people to trust in a lie”

So when you prophesy falsely you make people go astray by believing in your lies, so you have not only sinned but also caused the people to sin.

Jeremiah 28: 16-17, “Therefore thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou has taught rebellion against the Lord.

“So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month”

Praise the Lord! So shall it be for all false prophets, fake pastors and lying priests who refuses to change their ways this year in Jesus name, amen.