Here we go...the oft-misquoted, but still encouraging--Jeremiah 29.
Jeremiah sends a letter from those still remaining in Jerusalem to those who have already been taken into captivity in Babylon. The Ryrie Study Bible footnote states that the letter was specifically to those taken on the second (of three) batches in 597 BC. The first batch (which included Daniel and his friends) was 605 BC.
Recipients: Jeremiah states in verse 1 that the letter is to the elders of the exile, the priests, prophets, and all the people take in exile.
When? Verse 2 notes parenthetically that it's after these departed: King Jeconiah, queen mother, court officials, princes, craftsmen, and smiths. I include this because it's a little bit of foreshadowing how close we're getting to the end. Those still in Jerusalem seem to be taken solace in still being there, but they are really (spoiler alert) just the last rats on the ship.
How? The letter seems to have traveled by couriers sent by King Zedekiah to Nebuchadnezzar. So it seems like Jeremiah still has some juice with the king.
Contents
Verse 4 kicks it off with a bang. It starts with "This says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel" We all joke about knowing we're in trouble when our parents used our full name; but that's nothing compared to the trouble someone is in when the Lord uses His full name! He also states upfront that it is HE who sent them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Read closely and meditate on what He says next, it is really life changing if you let it.
5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce.
6 Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease.
7 Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare [peace] you will have welfare [peace].’
Jeremiah 29: 4-7, NASB95, biblegateway.com
My friends...we are in exile. By the hand of the Lord. We are sinners, saved and set free. But we are in exile until He takes us home. He expects us to live our lives, faithful to him; but about our daily business.
And, He expects us to be a blessing to the city where we are captive. We are to be about its peace and welfare. That's a tall order when the city you find yourself in is Babylon. And in the last few years, Colorado is definitely making a run for being a modern day Babylon. Some of the most vile abortion laws in the country; corrupt leadership; irresponsible financial decisions; and a complete lack of regard for the minority of the people who live in the majority of the state. People of faith and those with conservative values are ignored and outvoted at every turn. Harmful decisions put on us without mercy or care. So, yeah, going very Babylonian around here. But He expects me to "Bloom where I am planted."
Take heart, He is the Lord, even in exile.
The next part of the letter also begins with a fresh "Thus says the Lord of hosts, God of Israel". Being the second time He uses the full name, I would hope they would tune into the truth. (spoiler alert- they don't.)
He commands them to not listen to their prophets, diviners, or "dreamers". He clearly states that they are prophesying falsely in His name. "I have not sent them."
“For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. Jeremiah 29:10
What a beautiful, hopeful promise from the Lord! Except that He is clear that the timing of this good news is not for 70 years. But sometimes, when we know what to expect, it can make the wait better. I pause and share this single verse because it is super important context for the next verse that we all quote. He is telling them clearly that they have 70 years to go. And that means some of them won't live to see the return journey.
Ok, here we go: refrigerator magnets get ready:
11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’ Jeremiah 29:11-14
I emphasize verse 11 because we all hold tight to it when times are tough. Having a positive outlook for the future is helpful as long as we don't read this like some sort of promise that everything will always be sunshine and roses. And, there is a date when we'll all die; which will be the fulfillment of this for us, but also we die. So let's not use this verse like a talisman to drive out the bad spirits. It's a promise that exile will end when it's the Lord's pleasure to do so. Until then, walk in trust that He's the sovereign God of exile.
But I also included verses 12-14 because we have an active part to play in this season of exile.
We should be
Calling
Coming
Praying
Seeking
Search with your whole heart
We know the time is near when He restores the fortunes of Israel and gathers them from all nations. Does that sound like anything we see going on around us? Every generation should think it their generation. To see the Lord return. We have to keep our lamp oil full. But, boy, our generation sure does have a whole bunch of signs to hang our hope on.
Starting in verse 15, we have a new paragraph and a new topic.
Apparently, leaders and people have been taking their comfort in prophets they have with them in exile.
In response to this, the Lord assures those in exile that the king and all of those not in exile are going to die by sword, pestilence, and famine because they are rotten figs that He is going to spit out.
That's a super big plot twist compared to the hopeful message we have been reading so far. He states again that they will be a horror and hiss to everyone who see this unravel because they refuse to listen.
Verse 20 states that this should act as a reminder to listen to Him.
Verse 21 starts a new paragraph in which the Lord calls out two specific false prophets and let's the people know He's going to have Nebuchadnezzar slay these two where the people can see it. Their name will become a curse. Then he adds details about their other sins as well.
The rest of the chapter is about two men in exile who sent letters to the people and priests trying to repudiate Jeremiah and have him punished with stocks and the iron collar. Because of this rebellion, these men will be wiped out, along with all of their descendants, so none will see the good returns at the end of the exile.
So, in summary. This is, indeed, a wonderful chapter, full of quotable quotes and hopeful messages IF we are doing our part to call out to God, pray and seek Him. Avoid the false prophets and bloom where we are planted.
Amen.