Jeremiah 26 - 29

Jeremiah's prophecies about the coming invasion and captivity of Judah was beginning to be fulfilled.  God told Jeremiah to continue giving the message of warning, so that the people would still have opportunity to repent and God would not have to punish them for their unconfessed sin.  Instead of responding properly, the people seized Jeremiah to execute him.  After the prophet defended his position and message, the people decided to stay the execution.  Jeremiah's next message was delivered while he wore implements of slavery, portraying the coming expatriation of the people from their country.  A false prophet, Hananiah, began giving a message opposite to Jeremiah's, seeking to encourage the people that all was not as bad as portrayed by Jeremiah's messages.  To prove that Jeremiah was the true prophet, God allowed Hananiah to die within 7 months of his false prophecy.  When the nation was carried into captivity, Jeremiah sent with the captives a message from God instructing them to not expect a quick return from the land; instead, they should settle in the land and prepare to stay for an extended period (remember, Jeremiah had already foretold that their stay would last 70 years).