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Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.” (Jeremiah 28:5-9)
There’s a kind of dark humor in this little story. The true prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah, is facing off with a false prophet named Hananiah. And what is the problem? Hananiah is prophesying peace and victory for the people of God—even though they have deserted God. Hananiah is popular because he’s telling the people what they want to hear. And so Jeremiah warns the crowd: “All the prophets of God from olden times have prophesied disasters. If a prophet starts promising peace, well, that’s so surprising, you can’t trust it. The only way you can be sure God sent him is after it happens.”
And this is true; but why is it true? Because God really enjoys sending people bad news? No, of course not. The reason God’s true prophets warn about disaster is because God wants the people to take evasive action—to repent, change their hearts, and avoid the disaster that is coming. God hates seeing people suffer! But as long as they do evil, suffering will come, sure as the sun rises every morning. And He knows that.
There’s only one occasion I can think of when God sent messengers to prophesy peace—and that is when God’s Son Jesus was born into the world, to become our Savior. Then the priest Zechariah said to his own young son John: “And you, child, will … go before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God … to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:76-78a, 79b).
Then the angels said to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. … Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2:10b-12, 14)
Why did God’s messengers finally speak peace? Because God Himself was going to make it happen—by taking away our sins forever, through His death on a cross and His resurrection. Jesus Himself has become our peace, because He made peace for us with His own body.
WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for becoming my peace! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
- Do you ever have to warn people—students, children, clients?
- If so, do you enjoy it? If not, why do you do it?
- How do you suppose God felt when He could finally promise us good news of peace through Jesus?
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