Jeremiah 28
I believe we all can agree to the statement, “to listen and to know some restrictive instructions is easy, but to obey them fully is tough”.
As human beings, we all have this pride in us that is deterring us from being obedient.
“I have the right to do what I want”, “I have my own choice and freedom to do or not to do certain things”, or “I don’t always have to listen to you!”
Nothing is new under heaven; human pride and rebellion can be seen right from the very first ancestors to the people of modern times, and it will be present in all human being through the end of times.
In today’s reading, we see this same rebellion and stubbornness towards God’s word.
Bible Passage: Jeremiah 28
In the previous chapter, 27, we read that God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah, even with a physical yoke on the shoulders of the prophet, that the nations, including Judah, should surrender to Babylon in order to survive.
But Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet came to the people and prophesied otherwise.
Did God change His mind so quickly and did not even bother to tell Jeremiah? I don’t think so. Because the people were still as stubborn as before even after so many warnings that came to them through Prophet Jeremiah.
God did assure the people through Prophet Isaiah,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11
The message that Hananiah brought to the people sounded like a message of peace and comfort during that time of distress, but he was not sent by God, therefore he was prophesying falsehood, which was a serious transgression against God’s will. So as a punishment, Hananiah died that very same year.
The lessons that we can learn from today’s chapter are that we have to be sure of what God had warned or willed, and also to remember them, to keep them in our hearts and most importantly is to apply them in our lives obediently.
Today we have the Holy Bible, which is the living word of God, so readily available to guide us. And the best part is that God has so graciously given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truths.
And then the other lesson that we have to learn, especially those who have taken up the responsibility to lead the church, whether be it being ministers or RE teachers, we must be all the more careful in handling the word of God.
As shepherds of God’s flock, one must not add or subtract, not to twist it suit personal agenda, and not to “season” the word of God with beautiful lies in order to gain favor from the congregation.
Therefore let us not be complacent, forgetful or even shunning the word of God because of our pride, but to constantly meditate on them so that we can be fully be in tuned with the will of God.
So hopefully after today’s reading, we can be reminded of and be aware of our pride and rebellion hidden in us; and to rely on the grace of God to curb it.
May God guide and bless us with spiritual wisdom to have attentive ears to His word and a heart of obedience to His will.
Shalom