Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it. 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. Jeremiah 28:10,11
Jeremiah was committed to God and committed to delivering the message that He have him. Jeremiah took a yoke, the type a farmer would put upon oxen, and put it around his neck and paraded around the temple (27:2). His object lesson was telling the children of Israel that all nations would have to go under the bondage of Babylon. He carried the yoke around for several months warning everyman who inquired of it that they would have to come under the yoke of Babylon or be destroyed (27:12)
This must have been a very difficult task. Not only the physical burden of the yoke upon the neck but the emotional burden of telling the people he loved bad news. Even though Jeremiah was the voice for this warning he was by no means excited about it. I am certain that he would had prefer to be the prophet announcing their release fro captivity.
I can only imagine the excitement and the energy in the room when Hananiah walks over to Jeremiah and broke it. People are always more readily acceptable to hear good news. Hananiah proclaims that the captivity is almost over. He states that within two years they will be release fro their bondage.
What an exciting message! Just as powerfully as Jeremiah had been demonstrating their continued bondage by wearing the yoke Hananiah dramatically announces it will soon be over. This is probably a message that Jeremiah would have been excited to hear. He knew of Hananiah’s ways, but could it have been that for split second Jeremiah even hoped it was a true saying.
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. Jeremiah 28:15
Then God spokes to his prophet, Jeremiah, and confirms to Jeremiah what is in his heart, that Hananiah “makest the people to trust a lie”. I have been hear before. I have heard the messages of prosperity. I have heard the weak attempts of someone trying to preach a gospel message wihthout calling all men to repentance. I have heard parents try to manipulate their children to right behavior with reminding them of their responsibities before a mighty God.
There may have been days that Jeremiah felt like the bad guy delivering a bad message. Wouldn’t it be more exciting to be Hananiah and tell the people what they want to hear? I believe on a very small level I feel this same pressure today as I preach and minister to the people God has given our church. I am so tempted on occassion to parrot what they would like to hear in difficult situations.
Thank you God for the reminder that your message is what is best for you people regardless of how they respond to it. You can not remove the yoke by simply desiring for it to be gone. You can not remove it through your own power of taking if off and breaking it. The yoke of sin and bondage can only slide if when there as been a realization of your sin. Jeremiah was telling them how they could get the yoke removed. Hananiah taught them how not to worry about it because it would take care of itself. There are men of the same message preaching today. Thank God for first and may God close the mouth of the latter.
