Exile

October 18th, 2024

Jeremiah 29:4-13

Jeremiah 29 speaks of a time when the Hebrew people were forced into exile, moving from Jerusalem to Babylon, living in captivity. Ellicott’s commentary says this about the challenge to the Jews: They were “to pray for the peace and prosperity of the city where they were eating the bread of captivity”*

While we may not be literal refugees, we experience times in our lives where we feel like we are in exile. We are in the wrong job, the wrong city, the wrong relationship. What might it mean to pray for the peace and prosperity of our place of exile?

In these times, we hear the ancient prophet in Jeremiah. Settle down (v. 5). Establish relationships (v. 6). Seek peace (v. 7). Why? Here’s the answer. “For I know the plans I have for you” (v. 11).

This is not to suggest that when we are in danger, we should do nothing. There are times to act, as the writer of Ecclesiastes (chap. 3) tells us. However, when the situation is difficult and we see no way out, we can trust God’s plan will give us “a hope and a future” (v. 11).

Author: Joann Shade