Study Questions:

1. What did Hananiah do with the yoke Jeremiah had on his neck? (Jeremiah 28:10)

2. What type of yoke would they receive for breaking Jeremiah’s yoke? (Jeremiah 28:13)

3. What was God’s message to the exiles? (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

Commentary and Reflection:

The theme of chapters 28 and 29 revolves around letters exchanged between those who remained in Jerusalem and those in exile, false prophets, and God’s Word through Jeremiah.

Hananiah of Gibeon was a priest and self-proclaimed “prophet.” He publicly challenged Jeremiah’s message before the king and the people. Hananiah broke the wooden yoke that Jeremiah wore as an illustration and falsely prophesied that God would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar within two years.

Other false prophets, such as Ahab, son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, also opposed Jeremiah’s message. These men not only delivered false prophecies but lived immoral lives. Another influential figure in exile, Shemaiah, wrote a letter reprimanding the priest Zephaniah for not silencing Jeremiah.

Jeremiah’s message to King Zedekiah in Jerusalem and the exiles in Babylon was clear: accept the situation, settle down, and prepare for seventy years of captivity. Jeremiah was tasked with delivering deeply unpopular messages.

These messages were intended to spare the people from unnecessary suffering caused by rebellion, both in exile and in Jerusalem.

“Jeremiah, in the presence of the priests and people, earnestly entreated them to submit to the king of Babylon for the time the Lord had specified. He cited the men of Judah to the prophecies of Hosea, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and others whose messages of reproof and warning had been similar to his own. He referred them to events which had taken place in fulfillment of prophecies of retribution for unrepented sin. In the past the judgments of God had been visited upon the impenitent in exact fulfillment of his purpose as revealed through his messengers.” (Prophets and Kings, 445)

The enemy seeks to confuse God’s people by raising false prophets with false messages. They contradict God’s Word, live lives inconsistent with their claims, and fail to deliver accurate predictions. False prophets will face God’s judgment. God’s people must remain vigilant, prayerful, and attentive to His true messengers.

God’s message through Jeremiah was not only unpopular but counterintuitive. It called the people to submit to God’s judgment, which seemed to favor their enemies. However, Jeremiah was faithfully delivering God’s Word.

Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles is clear, compassionate, and filled with divine wisdom:
“Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” (Jeremiah 29:5-7)

What wise advice! This is the duty of God’s children wherever they find themselves.

One of the most cherished promises in Scripture comes from this chapter: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

What a beautiful promise! These words were not just for the exiles in Babylon but also for God’s people throughout history, especially in these last days.

“I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive.” (Jeremiah 29:14)

This promise not only foretells the return of the exiles to Jerusalem but also points to the ultimate gathering of all God’s people at the end of time.

These chapters remind us that God’s plans are always for our good, even when they involve discipline. His promises are sure, and His love remains steadfast. Let us trust Him, seek Him with all our hearts, and rest in His plans.

May you find joy in His Word today. May God grant you a very blessed day.