Ticklin' Ears

jer. 28

so many times we want to hear what will make us feel good, instead of desiring to know the truth. jeremiah was running into this dilemma. a prophet named hananiah from gibeon had entered into jeremiah's path. hananiah prophesied that within two years the chosen people would be freed from the captivity of the babylonians. this was good news to jeremiah, the priests and all the assembly. jeremiah even said, "Amen! so be it! may God do just as you have said."(v. 6) but then jeremiah adds a trailer onto his words. he says, "from early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms. but the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true." (v. 8-9)

to me it sounds like jeremiah was thrilled with the news of the babylonians yoke of slavery to be broken. how could you not be excited? but jeremiah also stands on his faith, knowing that God sent him to the people to prophesy truth - of wars, disaster and plague. his faith in God and in his calling persuaded him to speak the truth, even when his heart was moved to believe this new prophet.

later in the chapter, jeremiah receives a word from the Lord about hanaiah. the Lord tells jeremiah that hananiah was speaking falsely, and that the slavery would only get worse instead of better. so jeremiah went to hananiah with this message, "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the LORD .' " (v. 15-16)

just think about what jeremiah might have been feeling? one moment he is thrilled to death that the Lord is going to rescue the people from slavery...and in the next breath he is instructed that the slavery is going to get worse. bummer, huh? talk about emotional rush!

well, the last verse of the chapter tells us that hananiah did die - once again affirming "Your word, O LORD , is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens." (ps. 119:89, is. 40:8)

hey Lord,
it is good to come into Your presence this morning. thanks for sharing this passage with me. You have an incredible way of opening my eyes to see truth. thanks. Jesus, sometimes i want my ears to be tickled instead of desiring the Truth. it's often easier to listen to the world around me instead of obey and trust Your Word to be the only Truth, inerrant, a rock standing firm forever. i confess that i've been moved by what others have said instead of being grounded in Your Truth. may Your grace flood over me, giving me strength to be confident in Your Word. i pray for the truth in my heart to control my emotions and thoughts. i stumble so often in this area. i know that Your grace is sufficient for me. You've proved Yourself time and time again. may You receive the glory for transforming my doubt into faith. have Your way, Lord. sensitize me to Your truth.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*AJ *Stacy *Shannon