It is Dangerous to Oppose God’s Man
June 1, 2026
Commentary
Many of the people refused to believe Jeremiah’s message because it contradicted the words of the false prophets living in Babylon (vv. 15–19). These false teachers promised that Jerusalem was safe and that the captives would soon return home. However, Jeremiah warned that those remaining in Jerusalem would face sword, famine, and disease because of their continued rebellion against God. The people preferred comforting messages instead of listening to God’s truth.
Jeremiah specifically named two false prophets in Babylon: Ahab, the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah, the son of Maaseiah (vv. 20–23). Though little else is known about them, God declared that they were speaking lies in His name and committing immoral acts with their neighbors’ wives. Their sinful lives revealed the corruption of their hearts. Because they encouraged rebellion against God, the Lord declared that Nebuchadnezzar would execute them publicly before the exiles. Their judgment would become a warning to others about the danger and the result of false teaching and rebellion against the Lord.
Another false prophet, Shemaiah, became angry after Jeremiah’s first letter was read in Babylon. He wrote to the leaders in Jerusalem, urging them to punish Jeremiah (vv. 24–28). However, the letter was read to Jeremiah, and under God’s direction, he then sent another message announcing judgment on Shemaiah and his family (vv. 29–32).
God declared that Shemaiah would not see the blessings He planned for His people because he had falsely claimed to speak for the Lord and had encouraged rebellion against God’s message. This chapter reminds us that false teaching is dangerous because it turns people away from God’s purpose and leads them into rebellion against Him.
Application
Am I listening more to comforting words than to God’s truth today? Do I test what I hear by comparing it with God’s Word? Are my actions and lifestyle matching the faith I claim to have? Is there any false influence leading my heart away from obedience to God? How can I follow the Lord more honestly and faithfully today?
Jeremiah 29:15–32 (NET)
15 “You say, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets of good news for us here in Babylon.’ 16 But just listen to what the Lord has to say about the king who occupies David’s throne and all your fellow countrymen who are still living in this city of Jerusalem and were not carried off into exile with you. 17 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, ‘I will bring war, starvation, and disease on them. I will treat them like figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten. 18 I will chase after them with war, starvation, and disease. I will make all the kingdoms of the earth horrified at what happens to them. I will make them examples of those who are cursed, objects of horror, hissing scorn, and ridicule among all the nations where I exile them. 19 For they have not paid attention to what I said to them through my servants the prophets whom I sent to them over and over again,’ says the Lord. ‘And you exiles have not paid any attention to them either,’ says the Lord. 20 ‘So pay attention to the Lord’s message, all you exiles whom I have sent to Babylon from Jerusalem.’
21 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, also has something to say about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. ‘I will hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and he will execute them before your very eyes. 22 And all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use them as examples when they put a curse on anyone. They will say, “May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted to death in the fire!” 23 This will happen to them because they have done what is shameful in Israel. They have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken lies while claiming my authority. They have spoken words that I did not command them to speak. I know what they have done. I have been a witness to it,’ says the Lord.”
24 The Lord told Jeremiah, “Tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite 25 that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, has a message for him. Tell him, ‘On your own initiative you sent a letter to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah and to all the other priests and to all the people in Jerusalem. In your letter you said to Zephaniah, 26 “The Lord has made you priest in place of Jehoiada. He has put you in charge in the Lord’s temple of controlling any lunatic who pretends to be a prophet. And it is your duty to put any such person in the stocks with an iron collar around his neck. 27 You should have reprimanded Jeremiah from Anathoth who is pretending to be a prophet among you! 28 For he has even sent a message to us here in Babylon. He wrote and told us, ‘You will be there a long time. Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.’”’”
29 Zephaniah the priest read that letter to the prophet Jeremiah. 30 Then the Lord’s message came to Jeremiah: 31 “Send a message to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘The Lord has spoken about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Shemaiah has spoken to you as a prophet even though I did not send him. He is making you trust in a lie. 32 Because he has done this,” the Lord says, “I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his whole family. There will not be any of them left to experience the good things that I will do for my people. I, the Lord, affirm it! For he counseled rebellion against the Lord.”’”