Jeremiah 28: Group Study Handout

Overview

In the fourth year of Zedekiah's reign, Hananiah prophesied in Yahweh's house. He claimed that Yahweh had broken Babylon’s yoke and that in two years, the vessels of Yahweh’s house would return from Babylon (vv. 1-4). Jeremiah agreed and hoped that Hananiah’s words would come true. However, he cautioned the people to remember that past prophets spoke of war and pestilence, not just peace (vv. 5-9). Hananiah then broke a wooden bar from Jeremiah’s neck and announced that he would also break Babylon's yoke (vv. 10-11). Following this, Yahweh spoke to Jeremiah and revealed that Hananiah had not spoken truthfully. Instead, Yahweh had put a yoke of iron on the nations (vv. 12-14). Jeremiah warned Hananiah that he would die that year for leading the people astray (vv. 15-17).

Key verse

“Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! Yahweh has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.”

Jeremiah 28:15 (WEB)

Outline

1. Jeremiah 28:1–4 Hananiah's Prophecy of Restoration
2. Jeremiah 28:5–9 Jeremiah's Cautious Response
3. Jeremiah 28:10–11 Hananiah's Bold Act
4. Jeremiah 28:12–14 God's Word to Jeremiah
5. Jeremiah 28:15–17 Judgment on Hananiah

Discussion questions

1. In v2, what does Hananiah claim Yahweh has done regarding Babylon?
2. What action does Hananiah take in v10, and what does it symbolize?
3. In vv. 8-9, what is the tension between Hananiah's message and the historical role of prophets?
4. Jeremiah's words in v15 state that Hananiah caused the people to trust in a lie; what does this imply about false prophecy?
5. When have you experienced a situation where someone claimed something hopeful that turned out to be false?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 28: Jeremiah 27, Ezekiel 13, Jeremiah 14.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 29.