August 14

Jeremiah 26-29 (biblegateway.com)

True and False Voices: Standing Firm in God’s Word

Following the sobering prophecy in Jeremiah 25 of seventy years under Babylon’s rule, the account turns in Jeremiah 26–29 to specific confrontations and symbolic acts, where Jeremiah defends his message before hostile leaders, exposes false prophets, and delivers God’s instructions to those already in exile. These chapters capture the tension between a prophet faithfully delivering God’s unpopular message and a people eager to hear what they want. Chapter 26 begins with Jeremiah’s warning in the temple courtyard: if Judah does not repent, the city will fall. His words nearly cost him his life, but God spares him through the courage of certain leaders who defend him. Chapter 27 shifts to a symbolic act—Jeremiah wears a yoke to illustrate God’s decree that Judah and the surrounding nations must submit to Babylon’s rule as His instrument of judgment. In chapter 28, the false prophet Hananiah directly contradicts Jeremiah, promising that the exile will end in two years. God vindicates Jeremiah by declaring Hananiah’s death that same year. Finally, chapter 29 contains Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon, urging them to settle in for the long haul—seventy years—and to seek the peace of the city, for God’s plans are for their ultimate restoration, not their immediate escape.

Jeremiah 26 - Jeremiah’s Warning and Threat of Death

Jeremiah 26 takes place at the beginning of King Jehoiakim’s reign (v. 1), likely in his first year (609–608 B.C.), before the events of chapter 25. This timing shows that Jeremiah’s prophecies are arranged thematically rather than chronologically. Jehoiakim was a self-serving and materialistic ruler who oppressed and even killed the innocent (36:22-32; 2 Kings 23:36-24:6). In this chapter, the focus shifts to Jeremiah’s trial for his life, revealing both the cost of speaking God’s truth and the deep resistance of the nation’s leaders to His message.

Jeremiah is told to stand in the court of the Lord’s house and proclaim God’s message to all the people of Judah who have come to worship (v. 2). The command is clear: speak all the words God commands without omission, because the integrity of the prophetic word depends on its completeness.

Jeremiah might have felt the urge to soften his message, avoiding the parts that would anger his listeners, seem too severe, or make him appear disloyal. Yet God commanded him to deliver His word in full, without altering it to fit personal preference, audience approval, or situational pressure. In the same way, we must be faithful to share the whole truth of God’s Word, resisting the temptation to omit or water down what is hard to hear.

God’s stated purpose in sending this warning is merciful, in that, He hopes that if the people will listen and turn from their evil ways, He will relent from the disaster He has planned (v. 3). This reinforces the biblical truth that God’s judgment is never arbitrary but is always preceded by clear warnings and an open door for repentance.

Jeremiah delivers the heart of the message: if the people will not listen to God’s law and heed the prophets He has sent (v. 5), then the temple itself will become like Shiloh—a reference to the sanctuary that was destroyed because of Israel’s unfaithfulness (1 Samuel 4:10-11). The city of Jerusalem will become a curse among the nations (v. 6). This comparison to Shiloh is deeply provocative, as many Judeans believed the temple guaranteed God’s protection, but Jeremiah declares that without obedience, the temple will not save them.

The reaction in verses 7-9 is swift and hostile. The priests, prophets, and all the people hear Jeremiah’s words and accuse him of treason against the city, demanding his death (v. 8). They are outraged that he has prophesied the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, seeing it as an attack on their national and religious identity (v. 9). This illustrates the human tendency to resist uncomfortable truth, especially when it challenges long-held assumptions or exposes sin.

The officials and the people, then, gather at the New Gate of the Lord’s house (v. 10), where the priests and prophets repeat their demand for Jeremiah’s execution (v. 11). Jeremiah responds with remarkable courage, affirming that the message he spoke came directly from the Lord (v. 12). He calls them again to amend their ways and obey God so that the Lord may turn away His judgment (v. 13). Jeremiah acknowledges his vulnerability, telling them they may do with him as they wish, but warns that if they kill him, they will shed innocent blood and be held accountable by God (v. 15). This scene underscores the prophetic commitment to truth even at personal risk.

The officials’ response in verses 16–19 is significant. They declare that Jeremiah should not be put to death because he has spoken in the name of the Lord (v. 16). Some elders recall the precedent of the prophet Micah during King Hezekiah’s reign, who also prophesied Jerusalem’s destruction (Micah 3:12), yet was not executed because the king and people repented (v. 18-19). This historical reminder serves as a call to humility, as past generations avoided disaster by responding rightly to God’s warnings.

However, verses 20–23 present a sobering contrast in the account of Uriah son of Shemaiah, another prophet who proclaimed a similar message against Jerusalem (v. 20). When King Jehoiakim and his officials sought to kill him, Uriah fled to Egypt, but he was pursued, captured, brought back, and executed (v. 21-23). This demonstrates the real danger Jeremiah faced and the cost of faithfully delivering God’s message.

The chapter concludes in verse 24 with an important note: Ahikam, son of Shaphan, supports Jeremiah and protects him from being handed over to the people to be put to death. God’s providence is evident in raising up individuals to preserve His servants, even in hostile times.

Jeremiah 26 reveals God’s justice and mercy working together—He warns before He judges, desiring repentance rather than destruction. It also teaches that obedience, not outward religious symbols like the temple, is what truly secures God’s favor. The chapter challenges believers to receive hard truths from God’s Word with humility and repentance rather than defensiveness. It also models prophetic courage: like Jeremiah, God’s people are called to speak truth with faithfulness, even when it is unpopular or dangerous, trusting Him for protection and outcomes.

Jeremiah 27 - Jeremiah’s Message of Submission to Babylon

Chapter 27 takes place early in King Zedekiah’s reign (v. 1). While most Hebrew manuscripts read “Jehoiakim” here (KJV; NIV marg.), the internal evidence points to Zedekiah as the intended king. He is explicitly named as Judah’s ruler in verses 3 and 12, and 28:1 confirms that the prophecy of chapter 27 was delivered during his reign. The year was 593 B.C., and Nebuchadnezzar had already invaded Judah once and had taken many captives.

The Lord commands Jeremiah to make straps and yoke bars, which serve as symbols of submission to authority, and place them on his neck (v. 2). This visual act is meant to represent Judah’s coming subjugation to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. God instructs Jeremiah to send the same message and symbolic yokes to the kings of Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon through their envoys who have come to Jerusalem (v. 3). By doing this, God is not merely addressing Judah but the entire regional political landscape, underscoring His sovereignty over all nations (v. 4).

The prophetic message in verses 5-7 is rooted in God’s absolute authority over creation: He made the earth, its people, and animals by His great power, and He gives it to whomever He chooses (v. 5). At this time, He has given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, whom He calls “My servant” (v. 6), not because of the king’s righteousness, but because God has ordained him as His instrument of judgment. Even the wild animals will be subject to him. This Babylonian dominion will last until the appointed time, after which Babylon itself will be judged and handed over to other nations (v. 7).

God warns that any nation that will not serve Nebuchadnezzar or submit to his yoke will be punished with sword, famine, and pestilence until they are destroyed (v. 8). However, those who willingly submit and serve the Babylonian king will remain in their land and be able to cultivate it in peace (v. 11). This is a striking reversal of expectations, as survival comes not through resistance but through surrender to God’s discipline. Theologically, this reinforces that obedience to God’s revealed will, even when it seems counterintuitive, is the only path to life and blessing.

Jeremiah then warns King Zedekiah directly to submit to Babylon’s rule (v. 12), cautioning that rebellion will only bring destruction through sword, famine, and pestilence (v. 13). He strongly advises against listening to false prophets who promise deliverance without submission, as they are not sent by God and their lies will lead to exile (v. 14-15).

Addressing the priests and the people in verses 16-18, Jeremiah confronts the deceptive message of the false prophets, who claimed that the sacred temple vessels taken to Babylon would soon be returned. He warns that such lies only lull the people into complacency and will lead to even greater disaster. Rather than indulging in empty assurances, Jeremiah challenges these prophets to prove their divine authority, not through grand speeches, but by interceding with the living God to spare the remaining treasures still in the temple. He knows that their inability to do so will expose the truth: they have not been sent by God. In this moment, Jeremiah reminds the people that genuine spiritual authority is proven in prayer, truthfulness, and alignment with God’s revealed word, not in telling people what they want to hear.

At the heart of this crisis was King Zedekiah’s difficult dilemma. Jeremiah urged him to surrender to Nebuchadnezzar, while many leaders favored forming alliances and resisting. For a king, surrender felt shameful and cowardly, giving fuel to false prophets who confidently claimed Babylon could never conquer mighty Jerusalem or allow God’s magnificent temple to fall.

Earlier invasions by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. (Dan. 1:1-6) and 597 B.C. (2 Kings 24:10-17) had already resulted in the deportation of many Jerusalem leaders, including Daniel and Ezekiel, who became influential figures among the exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah warned that a final invasion would result in the removal of more people and treasured temple furnishings, a prophecy fulfilled in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:8-17; Jer. 52:12-23).

This chapter concludes with God declaring that the remaining temple items—the pillars, the sea, and the stands—would be taken to Babylon and remain there until the day He chooses to restore them (v. 21-22), emphasizing that only God, not political tactics or false hopes, controls the timing of His people’s restoration.

Jeremiah 27 teaches that God’s sovereignty extends over all nations, rulers, and events. Even a pagan ruler like Nebuchadnezzar can be an instrument in His hand. It challenges believers to trust God’s plan even when it involves submitting to hardship or apparent defeat, remembering that His discipline is for restoration, not destruction. The chapter also warns against false spiritual voices that promise shortcuts to blessing without repentance or submission to God’s will. Faithfulness means aligning with God’s revealed purposes, even when they go against human instinct or popular opinion.

Just as Zedekiah faced pressure to ignore God’s warning and trust in political alliances or false prophets, we too live in a world full of competing voices promising security through worldly solutions. Jeremiah’s message reminds us that true hope and deliverance come only through submission to God’s will and trust in His timing. When faced with uncertainty or difficult decisions, we must choose to rely on God’s Word rather than popular opinion or easy answers, knowing that He alone controls the future and will bring restoration in His perfect time.

Jeremiah 28 - The False Prophecy of Hananiah

Jeremiah 28 opens with Hananiah, a false prophet, confronting Jeremiah in the temple court during the early years of King Zedekiah’s reign (v. 1). Hananiah boldly, but inaccurately, declares that God will break the yoke of Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar within two years, freeing Judah and restoring the temple vessels and exiles back from Babylon (v. 2). His message stands in stark contrast to Jeremiah’s warnings of submission to Babylon’s rule found in chapter 27.

Jeremiah responds cautiously but firmly, acknowledging that if Hananiah’s prophecy comes true, it will confirm that God has truly sent him (v. 6). This highlights the biblical test of a true prophet: their words must come to pass. However, Jeremiah also reminds Hananiah and the people that prophets who lead Israel astray with false hopes will face judgment themselves (v. 7-8).

After their exchange, Hananiah dramatically breaks the wooden yoke from Jeremiah’s neck, symbolizing his claim that Babylon’s control will end soon (v. 10-11). Yet Jeremiah responds with a sobering prophecy that the wooden yoke will be replaced with an iron yoke, signifying a harsher, longer-lasting bondage under Babylon (v. 12-14). He warns that God has indeed sent him to declare this hard truth.

The chapter closes with a divine judgment on Hananiah: within that same year, Hananiah dies, confirming Jeremiah’s word and the seriousness of falsely speaking for God (v. 15–17). This judgment serves as a sobering reminder that spiritual leaders bear great responsibility and that false prophecy leads to destruction, not deliverance.

Jeremiah 28 powerfully underscores the vital need for discernment when evaluating prophetic messages. True prophecy is confirmed by fulfillment and always aligns with God’s revealed truth, even when it challenges our hopes or popular opinion. The chapter reveals the danger of spiritual rebellion through the temptation to embrace comforting lies rather than difficult realities. Like Jeremiah, believers today must be cautious of any message promising easy relief from God’s discipline or circumventing His sovereign plan.

Instead, we are called to humble submission and faithful endurance, recognizing that God’s correction, though sometimes severe like an iron yoke, is purposeful, designed to restore His people to covenant faithfulness. This passage reminds us that genuine faithfulness means standing firm in God’s truth, even when it conflicts with our desires, trusting that His word alone is certain and true.

Jeremiah 29 - A Letter to the Exiles: Hope and Restoration

Jeremiah 29 preserves a deeply personal and pastoral letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles living in Babylon, written sometime after the deportation of 597 B.C (v. 1). This was the time when King Jeconiah, the queen mother, and many of Judah’s leaders were carried away by Nebuchadnezzar (v. 2). Far from abandoning them, God used Jeremiah to assure these displaced people that His covenant purposes remained intact and that their exile was neither the end of their story nor evidence of His rejection. While offering comfort and guidance to the captives, the letter also served as a sobering reminder to those still in Judah that divine judgment was certain. In these verses, we see God’s heart for His people even in discipline, calling them to settle in, seek the welfare of their new land, and trust His plan until the time of restoration.

Jeremiah instructs the exiles to settle down in Babylon: build houses, plant gardens, marry, and multiply (v. 5). Rather than holding onto the hope of an immediate return, he urges them to seek the welfare of the city where they live, for their own peace depends on it (v. 7). This counsel challenges the common expectation that exile would be short-lived, emphasizing the reality of God’s sovereign plan over circumstances.

Basically, Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon encourages them to continue living their lives and to pray for the pagan nation that held them captive. Even in difficult and painful circumstances, life must go on. When faced with our own hardship, we are called to adapt and keep moving forward. Praying for those in authority, especially when leaders are neglectful or unjust, can be challenging, but it is precisely then that such prayers are most important. In times of trouble or unexpected change, respond with faithful prayer and proactive steps instead of giving in to fear or despair.

In verse 8, Jeremiah warns the exiles not to trust the prophets and diviners among them who falsely promise a quick end to the captivity. These false prophets offer deceptive comfort that undermines God’s purpose. Instead, Jeremiah urges them to rely on God’s true word as revealed through him. The restoration of the exiles would only come after God’s appointed 70 years of judgment were complete (25:11-12).

Scholars debate the exact timeframe of the 70 years: some place it from 605-538 B.C., spanning the first deportation to the return under Cyrus; others suggest 586-516 B.C., from the final exile and temple destruction to its rebuilding; and some see 70 years as an approximate lifetime. Regardless, all agree that God intended a lengthy exile, not the brief captivity promised by the false prophets.

God’s plans for the exiles are profound and gracious, as Jeremiah declares in verses 11–13: though they are in exile, God’s intention is for their welfare, to give them a future and hope. This promise highlights God’s faithfulness and sovereignty even amid judgment, assuring the exiles that when they seek Him wholeheartedly, He will be found.

Like a trustworthy leader who inspires and walks alongside us, God guides His people with a good and hopeful purpose. Knowing the future, He sets the agenda and accompanies us in fulfilling His mission. While this doesn’t guarantee freedom from pain or hardship, it assures us that God will carry us through every trial to a glorious outcome.

Jeremiah closes this section with a powerful call to repentance and a hopeful invitation to return to God. He reminds the people that after seventy years of exile, a divinely appointed period of discipline and refinement, God will bring them back to their homeland (v. 14). This exile serves not only as judgment for their unfaithfulness but also as a time of preparation, intended to awaken their hearts and restore their relationship with God. Through this promise of restoration, God’s unwavering covenant faithfulness shines clearly, showing that despite Israel’s repeated failures, He remains committed to His people and His promises.

However, the chapter does not end on a note of comfort alone. Jeremiah delivers a stern warning against the false prophets and leaders who have led the people astray by spreading lies and ignoring God’s commands (v. 15-23). Their rebellion carries severe consequences, highlighting the seriousness of turning away from God’s truth. This contrast between hope and warning emphasizes that true restoration requires genuine repentance and a faithful return to God’s ways, not empty promises or misguided rebellion.

Jeremiah 29 teaches that God’s timing and plans are perfect, even when they seem harsh or delayed from a human perspective. The exiles’ call to live faithfully where God places them encourages believers today to be faithful in whatever circumstances God sovereignly allows. The chapter warns against trusting false messages that promise easy escapes from hardship, instead urging reliance on God’s revealed word. Most importantly, God’s promise of hope and restoration reminds us that His discipline is redemptive and that seeking Him with all our hearts brings restoration and peace.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 26–29 calls us to discern between comforting lies and hard truths. The people of Judah preferred Hananiah’s short-term optimism over Jeremiah’s long-term obedience, but only one spoke from God. True prophetic words often challenge rather than soothe, and faithfulness means aligning with God’s timetable, not our own. For the exiles, peace would come not through a quick deliverance, but through endurance and trust in God’s promises. For us, these chapters remind us to test every message by God’s Word, to be wary of voices that appeal to our impatience, and to hold fast to the One who knows the plans He has for us—plans for hope, even in the midst of discipline.