Jeremiah

Jeremiah 29:1-3

Jeremiah's call to speak the truth of the Lord over the noise of the prophets extended to the land of exile.  He wrote a letter to the people in exile where were hearing the false prophets proclaim to them a short exile.  On the contrary, the Lord had determined them to be there for 70 years and had not kept that hidden from them.  The letter was sent along with Elasah and Genariah.  These men were being sent by King Zedekiah

Jeremiah 29:4-9

The first part of the letter is an invitation to make themselves at home in Babylon instead of living each day waiting to go home.  They were to put down roots there, live as normal as they could.  They were to marry and have families and to not decrease in population.  This conveys the hope that one day, they would go home again. 

In their place of captivity, they weren't to live as rebels and outsiders, but they were to accept it.  They were to pray for the city and it's success, peace and prosperity.  The nations, city and population around them were to be blessed by their presence.  Instead of the culture permeating them, they were to bleed into the culture around them and make a difference.  This is a good reminder to us not to just live our lives as those in exile waiting to go home.  We are live normal lives, with our eyes on the Lord.  We should have an affect on those around us as we pray for peace and prosperity of those around us.  We should reflect the God we serve wherever we are.

Jeremiah 29:10-14

A generation is considered 70 years (Psalm 90:10; Is 23:15); not too many who left Jerusalem would make it back.  Only a few older folks who went to captivity as children would see Israel again.  The rebellious generation would pass away.  The Lord still had plans and He would bring them back and renew His plans before them as a people.  They had felt the sting of God's wrath, and now they were given the precious hope that contained God's love and care.  It is always in God's heart to prosper, give hope and a future.  In the restored covenant relationship, they would call on God and He would listen to their prayers.  In their seeking, they would find Him.  Like a shepherd gathering His sheep is the Lord gathering His people and bringing them home. 

Jeremiah 29:15-23

They may have thought, 'Thank you very much for the thought Jeremiah, but we have prophets here with a better message.'  The king sitting on the throne was not capable of coming to their rescue.  He would, in fact, be dealt with harshly.  God's wrath was still upon those in the land. 

God called out aa couple of the prophets by name; Ahab and Zedekiah.  Their work in captivity was called 'lies'.  God gives testimony and stands as a witness.  At the witness of two, they would be found guilty and sentenced.  They would apparently be burned to death; possibly another example of a fiery furnace similar to what Daniel's friends were thrown into.  This will be memorable and notable among the people to the point that the judgment of these two men will become a proverb; an example of the curse. 

Jeremiah 29:24-32

Shemaiah had apparently sent a letter to the people and priests of Jerusalem.  He was angry because they had not silenced Jeremiah.  He was holding Zedekiah, the priest accountable for this.  Shemaiah was offended when sent this letter telling them to settle in new homes in Babylon, that they were staying a while. 

This false prophet told his lies long enough he was believing them.  Now the Lord was taking care of him.  He had made himself an enemy of the Lord by preaching rebellion.  By our sin, we all fall short of being right with God.  We are all at His mercy, and He is merciful toward us.  However, when someone actively and purposefully leads people away from God, it never ends well for them. 

©2018 Doug Ford