Jeremiah 28:8
The prophets of old who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.
The prophets of old who preceded you and me
This phrase establishes a historical continuity of prophetic ministry. The reference to "prophets of old" connects Jeremiah to a long tradition of prophets in Israel, such as Moses, Samuel, Elijah, and Isaiah. These prophets were often called to deliver messages of warning and judgment, emphasizing their role as God's messengers. This continuity underscores the legitimacy of Jeremiah's own prophetic ministry, as he stands in the line of those who faithfully conveyed God's word.

prophesied war, disaster, and plague
The mention of "war, disaster, and plague" reflects the common themes of judgment found in the messages of the prophets. These elements were often seen as consequences of the people's disobedience to God. War and disaster were frequently used by God as instruments of judgment against nations, including Israel and Judah, for their idolatry and injustice. Plagues, such as those seen in Egypt during the Exodus, were also a sign of divine intervention and judgment. This phrase highlights the seriousness of the prophetic message and the reality of divine retribution.

against many lands and great kingdoms
This phrase indicates the scope of the prophetic messages, which were not limited to Israel but extended to "many lands and great kingdoms." This reflects the universal sovereignty of God over all nations, a theme prevalent in the prophetic literature. Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel delivered oracles against foreign nations, demonstrating that God's judgment was not confined to His chosen people but applied to all who acted wickedly. This also foreshadows the New Testament message of the gospel being for all nations, emphasizing God's concern for justice and righteousness on a global scale.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and calls for repentance to the people of Judah.

2. Hananiah
A false prophet who opposed Jeremiah, claiming that God would break the yoke of Babylon and restore the exiles within two years.

3. Ancient Prophets
Refers to the prophets who came before Jeremiah, such as Isaiah, Amos, and Micah, who also delivered messages of judgment and warning.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing the threat of Babylonian conquest during Jeremiah's time.

5. Babylon
The empire that was rising to power and would eventually conquer Judah, leading to the Babylonian exile.
Teaching Points
Discernment of True Prophecy
True prophecy often includes warnings of judgment and calls for repentance. Believers must discern between messages that align with God's truth and those that offer false hope.

Historical Consistency
The messages of the prophets throughout history have consistently included themes of judgment for sin. This consistency underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are called to speak God's truth, even when it is unpopular or difficult. This requires courage and faithfulness to God's word.

Warnings as Acts of Mercy
God's warnings of disaster are acts of mercy, providing opportunities for repentance and return to Him. Believers should view warnings as invitations to align with God's will.

The Consequences of Ignoring Warnings
Ignoring prophetic warnings can lead to severe consequences. Believers are encouraged to heed God's messages and respond with obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we discern between true and false prophets in today's context, and what criteria should we use based on biblical teachings?

2. In what ways do the messages of ancient prophets like Jeremiah still apply to our lives and society today?

3. How does understanding the historical context of Jeremiah's prophecies enhance our interpretation of his messages?

4. What are some modern examples of "false peace" that might lead believers astray, and how can we guard against them?

5. How can we apply the lessons from Jeremiah 28:8 to encourage others to heed God's warnings and seek repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
Discusses the criteria for true and false prophets, emphasizing the importance of prophecy fulfillment as a test of authenticity.

1 Kings 22
The account of Micaiah, a true prophet who prophesied disaster, contrasting with false prophets who predicted peace.

Ezekiel 13
Condemns false prophets who lead people astray with false visions of peace.

Matthew 24:6-7
Jesus speaks of wars and rumors of wars as signs of the end times, echoing the themes of judgment and disaster.
A False Prophet and His FateD. Young Jeremiah 28:1-17
How to Answer Those Who Oppose the TruthA.F. Muir Jeremiah 28:1-17
People
Azur, Azzur, Gibeon, Hananiah, Jeconiah, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Gibeon
Topics
Ancient, Battle, Calamity, Countries, Destruction, Disaster, Disease, Early, Evil, Famine, Kingdoms, Lands, Pestilence, Plague, Preceded, Prophesied, Prophesy, Prophets, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 28:8

     4843   plague
     5367   kingdoms

Jeremiah 28:8-9

     7774   prophets, false

Jeremiah 28:8-17

     1424   predictions

Library
Yokes of Wood and Iron
'Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.'--JER. xxviii. 13. I suppose that I had better begin by a word of explanation as to the occasion of this saying. One king of Judah had already been carried off to Babylon, and the throne refilled by his brother, a puppet of the conquerors. This shadow of a king, with the bulk of the nation, was eager for revolt. Jeremiah had almost single-handed to stem the tide of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Two Yokes
With this, by way of preliminary observation, we will now come to the text, and endeavor to make some use of it for ourselves. Hananiah took off the symbolic yoke, the wooden yoke, from Jeremiah's neck and broke it. Jeremiah comes again, and says, "You have broken the yoke of wood, but God has commanded that ye shall now wear yokes of iron." They were not benefited, therefore, by the change, but the reverse. This is suggestive of a broad principle. From the symbol, which was applicable in one case,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ.
O wretched Man! where shall I begin to describe thine endless misery, who art condemned as soon as conceived; and adjudged to eternal death, before thou wast born to a temporal life? A beginning indeed, I find, but no end of thy miseries. For when Adam and Eve, being created after God's own image, and placed in Paradise, that they and their posterity might live in a blessed state of life immortal, having dominion over all earthly creatures, and only restrained from the fruit of one tree, as a sign
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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