false prophet opposes Jeremiah. (1-9) The false prophet
warned of his approaching death. (10-17)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
false prophet opposes Jeremiah. (1-9) The false prophet
warned of his approaching death. (10-17)