In the Old Testament lesson for next Sunday, we hear the prophet Jeremiah's scathing rebuke of the happy talk coming from Hananiah. Hananiah has been prophesying peace and good times for the people of Judah. Of course, this is what everybody wants to hear: the prosperity gospel. Things are only going to get better from here on.
But Jeremiah knows better. He knows that the people have not changed their evil ways and their sins still demand payment. Sarcastically, he says to Hananiah, "May the LORD fulfill the words that you have prophesied, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the LORD, and all the exiles."
Then he reminds him what a prophet is: "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 true, then it will be known that the LORD has truly sent the prophet."
It's not easy being a prophet. Jeremiah suffered for his unrelenting message of repentance he preached. No one wanted to hear his message. But someone has to be the one to speak the truth, and Jeremiah was unable to stop himself from telling the bad news.
We all want to hear the good news, but sometimes we've got to hear the bad news before we can hear the good news. Who are our prophets today?
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