Scripture's Story for the Week
Jeremiah 29:1-14
Letter to the Exile in Babylon
1 This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This was after King Jehoiachin and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) 3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It said:
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Pondering Point
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.
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Our story contains the oft-quoted verse from Jeremiah about God’s plans for you. Today you get to see it in context. It was a ‘rough row to hoe’ for the recipients of this letter from God’s prophet. These people were hoping for a few brief years of exile followed by a glorious return to Jerusalem. In fact, some false prophets were suggesting as much to them. But God had other plans – and let Jeremiah deliver the message. There were still blessings to be had, but it would require them to heed God’s message – and practice obedience over the next 70 years. Check out the story, envision yourself as one of the exiles, and ponder how you would have reacted to this letter.
Prayer
Engage God in conversation about any dissatisfaction regarding the circumstances of your current life, about your level of obedience, and about poor behaviors you excuse when things don’t go ‘your way.’
I will worship you for the rest of my life, LORD.
~ Unattributed
Finding Joy
With our theme this week being Worship in the Spirit, we bring out some poetry inspired by the many ways worship occurs in Scripture.
For a sneak peek, see the material at the bottom of tomorrow's devotion.
Remember that the word worship, from Old English, equates to a quality of “worthiness.” So, in relation to God: What is He worth to you? Is God worth your time?