The confrontation between Hananiah and Jeremiah is instructive for our time. You had two figures, each claiming to bringing the word of God, but with opposite conclusions. Hananiah prophesized peace and prosperity. This was not so unusual. Isaiah had done the same. Jeremiah prophesizeed destruction and the call to repentence. How were the people to know which was the authentic word of the Lord? Unfortunately, the Bible doesn’t give us much help. You know the truth only when his prophetic prediction is fulfilled. But we have to make our decisions in the present, not when we see how things turn out. This is relevant for today since we too have conflicting voices claiming to be representing the word of God. How do we know which to heed? Jesus gave a better criterion: “By their fruits you shall know them.” The true prophetic voice leads to compassion, forgiveness, care for those in need, generosity, and a spirit of welcome to everyone as a child of God.
