Daily Devotionals

Jer 29:4-7, 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.

Jeremiah sent a letter with a message from the Lord to the people of Judah in exile (in Babylon). The false prophets in their midst had given them false hope that they would be in exile roughly for only 2 years. Little did they know they would be in exile for 70 years, approximately a generation. Jeremiah writes to comfort them by reminding them that they were not forgotten, in fact he referred to God as the God of Israel. Their rebellion was the reason for their captivity but God’s hand was still upon them.

The letter admonished them to make the best of their time in exile for they were going to be there for a while. That is build, sow, marry, have children, live and pray for government etc. I would believe based on Jesus’ prayer in Joh 17:15 that it His purpose for believers still here in Babylon if you will, live and serve Him. While the cry and groaning is “when can we get out of here?” He responds with “do business till I come” (Luk 19:13) for us whichever way. I think the message is simple, don’t quit living, plan, envision, sow, have children, work hard because your are not forgotten. You can still flourish even now in Babylon (here on earth) for His glory.