Devotion 854

“The Immediate Death Of The Prophet Hananiah”

Reference Jeremiah chapter 28

The Word of God is not a joke. Telling a lie in the name of God is death. Many people go around saying, "God told me this," "God told me that," making God a liar. God is Holy. Using the name of God to push our agenda is the last thing an individual should do. That's what the prophet Hananiah did.

Let's read.

Jeremiah 28:1-2 “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, [2] Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.”

 The prophet Hananiah spoke in the name of God using the same terminology, but he was lying. We are not to lie to men about men. How much more important it is for us not to lie about God.  The prophet Hananiah did not have any reverence for God. He did not fear God.

We continue our reading.

Jeremiah 28:3-11 “Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: [4] And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. [5] Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD, [6] Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place. [7] Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; [8] The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. [9] 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. [10] Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it. [11] And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.”

The prophet Hananiah continued to push his agenda, not recognizing that God was standing in the presence of him and Jeremiah. There is nothing that we do or say that escapes God, and He judges everything, whether immediately, soon, or later, but everything is judged. He is the same Holy Spirit that condemned Ananias.

Acts 5:9-10 “Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. [10] Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.”


We conclude our reading.

Jeremiah 28:12-17 “Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, [13] Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. [14] For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. [15] 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. [16] Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. [17] So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.”

In two months, the prophet Hananiah died. We should not play church. God is Holy.

Have reverence for God. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. BELIEVE and confess Jesus Christ, the Second Adam, as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. He is a Holy and fearful God, in Christ!