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Consult other commentaries for a discussion of the textual problem of 27:1 and the probable date of this account. This narrative has two sections: (1) Jeremiah’s wearing a wooden yoke to symbolize the coming Babylonian captivity and the subsequent message to King Zedekiah (vv.1-22), and (2) his confrontation with Hananiah, the false prophet who has attempted to discredit Jeremiah’s message (28:1-17).
Yahweh the Creator is also the sovereign Lord of history (27:1-17). Therefore, submission to Babylon is in a real sense submission to Yahweh’s will; rebellion against Babylon, on the other hand, is rebellion against Yahweh. Those who proclaim a contrary message are not authentic prophets. Anyone who proclaims peace to a sinful generation cannot be accepted as a true prophet (28:5-9). Authentic prophets speak judgment and not peace to sinners. The clear basis for the recognition of a true prophet is the fulfillment of his words, which he claims to have come from Yahweh. The fulfillment of the word of judgment against Hananiah (vv.15-17) shows that Jeremiah was indeed a true prophet (Dt 18:20-22).