S) "12 The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13 'Go and speak to Hananiah, saying, "Thus says the Lord, 'You have broken the yokes of wood, but you have made instead of them yokes of iron.'"'"
Jeremiah 28:12-13 (NASB)
O) Hananiah was a false prophet during the exile, who opposed Jeremiah. In chapter 27, Jeremiah had taken a wooden oak upon himself, to prophesy a yoke upon the people from Babylon. After some back-and-forth, Hananiah got mad, took the yoke off of Jeremiah, and smashed it (v.10-11). God's response to Hananiah speaks volumes about how we are supposed to react to discipline from our Father God. Hananiah took matters into his own hands, to try and make things better. He fought against the hand of the LORD. While it appeared to be effective for a moment, the result was a stronger, heavier discipline (an iron yoke replacing the wooden yoke).
A) Perhaps the biggest lesson to learn about the exile of Judah, was that fighting against the discipline of my Father God, will only bring a more painful result. I believe that God wants to teach me things, no matter what comes my way (which is a big part of how Romans 8:28 unfolds), but it is so vital that I am handling my life, with all of its storms and trials, the way the LORD intends me to handle it. If I am being headstrong, arrogantly fighting against pressures as if my strength will solve it, I will certainly miss His disciplining lessons, and may actually make matters worse. When I face setbacks, tribulations, and strife, I need to approach them in prayer, humbly asking for my Father in Heaven to open my eyes and ears, and direct my steps according to the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:25).
P) Father, You are a good Father. You are exceedingly good, just as Jesus described in Matthew 7. I know that Your discipline is good too, then, just as was described in Hebrews 12. Show me, Father, when my setbacks are specifically discipline, because I want to fight when I am supposed to fight, and I want to submit and persevere when I am supposed to do that. I never want to make matters worse, and specifically, I want to learn whatever it is You are trying to teach me, because I know Your will is so good. Let it all be done according to Your will alone, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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