False Promises, True Hope, and the God Who Restores

Be God's Glory
6 days ago
10 min read

Welcome to Day 232 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. These chapters contrast the lies of false prophets with the enduring promises of God. While false voices promised quick relief from Babylonian captivity, God affirmed through Jeremiah that the exile would last for a set time but would ultimately lead to restoration. In this section, we see the tension between human impatience and God’s timing, the call to remain faithful even in hardship, and the assurance that God’s covenant people will not be abandoned. Together, these chapters reveal God’s sovereignty in history, His faithfulness to His Word, and His plan to bring both judgment and redemption to His people.

Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah 28 introduces a conflict between Jeremiah and Hananiah, a false prophet who assured the people that God would break the yoke of Babylon within two years. Hananiah dramatically broke the wooden yoke Jeremiah had been wearing as a symbol of Judah’s submission to Babylon, declaring freedom and swift restoration. Jeremiah initially remained silent, but later returned with God’s true message: the yoke of wood would be replaced with an unbreakable yoke of iron, representing Babylon’s inescapable dominance. God affirmed that He had not sent Hananiah, and because of his lies, Hananiah would die that very year. This chapter underscores the danger of listening to voices that promise quick fixes rather than submitting to God’s discipline and timing.

Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29 records a letter sent to the exiles in Babylon, offering instruction and encouragement. Instead of promising quick deliverance, Jeremiah relayed God’s command to settle in the land—build houses, plant gardens, marry, and seek the welfare of the city where they lived. God promised that after seventy years, He would bring His people back, affirming His plans to give them a future and a hope. However, He also warned against listening to false prophets who claimed otherwise, as their lies would lead the people astray. This chapter highlights God’s sovereignty, calling His people to remain faithful, patient, and prayerful during seasons of waiting, knowing His timing is perfect.

Jeremiah 30

Jeremiah 30 shifts to a message of hope and restoration known as the “Book of Consolation.” God instructed Jeremiah to write down His promises that He would restore His people after their time of distress. Though the nation would face “Jacob’s trouble,” a time of great suffering, God would ultimately deliver them and break the yoke of their oppressors. He promised healing, forgiveness, and the restoration of their land and community. This chapter emphasizes that while God disciplines His people for their rebellion, His ultimate desire is to redeem, heal, and restore them to covenant relationship with Him.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Jeremiah comes from the Hebrew Yirmĕyāhû or Yirmĕyāh, meaning “Yahweh will exalt,” “Yahweh appoints,” or “The Lord establishes.” This meaning reflects Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, as God appointed him before his birth to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The name itself is a prophetic statement of God’s sovereignty and purpose in raising up His messengers.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Jeremiah serves as both a record of God’s judgment and His invitation to repentance. Written during a time of national decline in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century B.C.), its purpose is to:

Warn Judah of the coming Babylonian invasion as a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call the people to repentance, offering them the hope of restoration if they return to God.
Explain the fall of Jerusalem and the exile as part of God’s sovereign plan.
Provide hope for the future, pointing toward a new covenant where God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

It is both a book of judgment and a book of hope—showing God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in promising restoration.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The prophet Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is credited as the author of the book, with assistance from his scribe Baruch son of Neriah.

Biblical evidence for Jeremiah as the author includes:

Jeremiah 1:1–2 – Clearly identifies Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, as the prophet who received the words of the Lord.
Jeremiah 36:1–4 – God commands Jeremiah to dictate His words to Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll.
Jeremiah 36:32 – After King Jehoiakim burns the first scroll, Jeremiah dictates the same words again to Baruch, along with additional messages.
2 Chronicles 35:25 – Mentions Jeremiah writing laments for King Josiah.
Daniel 9:2 – Refers to “the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” as authoritative Scripture, confirming early recognition of his writings.

External historical sources also support Jeremiah’s authorship:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b–15a) lists Jeremiah as the author of his prophetic book, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 5) records Jeremiah as the prophet who warned of Jerusalem’s fall and wrote about it.
Ancient Septuagint manuscripts (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd–2nd century B.C.) attribute the prophecies to Jeremiah, though in slightly different order than the Hebrew text.

Key People:

Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet,” called by God to warn Judah of coming judgment and to urge repentance.
Baruch son of Neriah – Jeremiah’s faithful scribe who recorded and preserved his messages.
King Josiah – The last godly king of Judah, under whom Jeremiah began his ministry.
King Jehoiakim – Rejected Jeremiah’s warnings and burned his prophetic scroll.
King Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile; vacillated between listening to Jeremiah and fearing his officials.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and carried the people into exile.
Ebed-Melek – An Ethiopian court official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
False prophets like Hananiah – Opposed Jeremiah’s message, promising peace when judgment was coming.

Conclusion

The Book of Jeremiah ends with the tragic reality of Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile to Babylon (chapters 39–52), fulfilling the very warnings Jeremiah proclaimed for decades. Yet, it is not a message of despair—it also points forward to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. The prophecies of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and future restoration reveal God’s ultimate plan to redeem His people. Jeremiah’s ministry demonstrates that God’s word is unchanging, His justice is certain, and His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with a sincere heart. Even in judgment, God is working for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Jeremiah 28

In Jeremiah 28, God’s character is revealed as a God of truth and faithfulness who will not allow lies to stand unchallenged. While Hananiah promised false hope, God showed that His Word alone is reliable and that He will always confirm His truth. God’s justice is seen when He declared Hananiah’s death for misleading the people, proving that He takes false prophecy seriously. The lesson is that God desires His people to trust His Word, even when it is difficult, instead of clinging to comfortable lies.

In this chapter, God is repeatedly referred to as “Yahweh”, meaning the self-existent, covenant-keeping Lord. By using this name, God emphasizes that He alone has the authority to decree the future of His people, not self-appointed prophets. The lesson is clear: God calls His people to discern truth from deception, reminding us that He is the unchanging covenant Lord who keeps His Word even when it is unpopular or painful.

Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29 reveals God’s patience, sovereignty, and fatherly care. Instead of offering quick deliverance, God instructs His people to build, plant, and prosper even in exile. His famous promise that He has “plans for peace and not for evil, to give a future and a hope” shows His goodness and long-term vision for His people’s welfare. The lesson is that God desires His children to trust His timing and seek Him wholeheartedly, even in seasons of waiting.

Here again, God is called “Yahweh”, the covenant-keeping Lord who rules over history and nations. His use of this name reminds the exiles that though they are far from Jerusalem, He is still present and faithful to His promises. The lesson is that God’s plans are rooted in His covenant love, and even in exile, His people are never beyond His reach or His care.

Jeremiah 30

In Jeremiah 30, God’s character shines as both a righteous judge and a merciful redeemer. He acknowledges the suffering His people must endure, but He promises healing, restoration, and freedom from their oppressors. His justice ensures that sin is punished, yet His compassion ensures that His people are not abandoned. The lesson is that God disciplines to restore, and His ultimate goal is always redemption and renewal.

This chapter again emphasizes “Yahweh”, the covenant Lord who binds Himself to His people with unfailing love. By identifying Himself this way, God assures Israel that His covenant promises are still in effect despite their exile and suffering. The lesson is that God’s covenant love cannot be broken, and even in judgment, He is working toward restoration and hope for His people.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

In Jeremiah 28, how does God’s response to Hananiah reveal His commitment to truth and justice?
What does Jeremiah 29 teach us about God’s patience and long-term vision for His people?
How is God’s sovereignty displayed in His control over nations and the timing of Israel’s exile and restoration?
In Jeremiah 30, how do we see God balance judgment with mercy?
What does God’s promise of restoration tell us about His covenant faithfulness?
How does God’s discipline reflect His character as a loving Father rather than a distant ruler?
How does God’s identity as Yahweh, the covenant-keeping Lord, help us understand His relationship with His people in these chapters?

Questions About Themes:

What major contrast exists between the false prophecy of Hananiah in Jeremiah 28 and the true prophecy of Jeremiah?
How does the theme of “waiting on God’s timing” emerge in Jeremiah 29?
Why do you think God told the exiles to build, plant, and seek the welfare of Babylon instead of focusing only on returning home?
How does Jeremiah 30 portray the theme of suffering leading to ultimate restoration?
In what ways do these chapters highlight the danger of listening to false promises rather than God’s Word?
How is hope woven into the messages of judgment and discipline throughout these chapters?
How does the theme of covenant restoration shape the way Israel should view their exile?

Reflective Application Questions:

Have you ever been tempted to believe “easy” promises rather than waiting for God’s true Word to unfold? How does Jeremiah 28 challenge you?
What does Jeremiah 29 teach you about how to live faithfully in seasons where you feel “in exile” or waiting on God’s promises?
How does knowing that God has “plans to give you a future and a hope” affect the way you handle discouraging circumstances today?
When you face trials, do you see them more as punishment or as opportunities for God’s restoration? How does Jeremiah 30 reshape your view?
In what ways can you seek the peace and prosperity of your community, just as the exiles were called to seek the welfare of Babylon?
How do these chapters encourage you to discern between God’s truth and false messages in today’s world?
Where in your life do you need to trust that God’s discipline is leading toward healing and restoration?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans