“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11-13

The conflict between true and false prophets that we have seen in chapters 27 and 28 continues, with several false prophets named and God’s judgment on them pronounced. In contrast, we have Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles (maybe 594 BC, near the start of the exile). Jeremiah was saying the right thing at the right time, but bringing what looked like strange advice and unwelcome news – followed by some welcome news.

The unwelcome news is that the exile would last for 70 years (v 10). If human life is 70 years, then all those exiled to Babylon would die there. The strange advice was for them to make new lives in Babylon (vs 5–7), settling down, getting on with life, having children, and seeking the well-being of Babylon. Their well-being was tied up with Babylon’s well-being. The welcome news is in verses 11–14. While the exile would be long, it would not be permanent. The Lord had plans for good for his people, plans that involved prosperity and not harm (v 11). In due time he would restore them to Judah and restore fellowship with himself once more.

The apostle Peter uses the language of exile with the believers to whom he writes (1 Pe 1:1), implying that the church (then and now) is in a similar position to Jeremiah’s exilic audience. We are citizens of the age to come, living in the present evil age. Our temptation is to remain aloof and apart from the world; our calling is to live our Christian lives in the world, seeking its welfare.

CLOSING PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you for the message of hope that you have given me, and that now, I have the privilege to share with others. Give me an opportunity to tell someone about you, even today.

(Edited from Encounter with God)