Every time I read God's word I see new things. I learn so much more about Him, His purposes, and how He does things. Here in Jeremiah ch 29, you read an open letter from Jeremiah to the captives taken into exile in Babylon. God tells them, they are there for a reason (punishment for their idolatry). But while they are there, they are not to suffer, complain, and die. They are to marry, have children, and build homes for themselves. They are to pray and make good the welfare of the city in which they were exiled to. Even in punishment God provides, protects, and promotes us to make the best of the situation. God's love for His people always shines through, even when we don't see it. How can anyone ever say God is not good?
4 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives He has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: 5 “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. 6 Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! 7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”8 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams, 9 because they are telling you lies in My name. I have not sent them,” says the Lord.10 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for Me wholeheartedly, you will find Me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”
Jeremiah 29:4-14
An Ordinary Man's Pursuit of the Extraordinary God of the Bible. These are daily insights from reading the Bible from cover to cover yearly. It is intended to point others to the Truth, and inspire people to pursue the God of the Bible individually.
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