Guidelines for Living as Exiles

Guidelines for Living as Exiles

Jeremiah 29:1-14

 

Jeremiah delivers the word of God through letters to the Babylonian captives. God tells them not to follow the false hope that their captivity will end soon, but to make Babylonia their home and pray for Babylonia's peace. Captivity would last 70 years. If the people of Judah thoroughly repent and return to God for 70 years, God will answer their prayers again. After 70 years, He will judge Babylonia and send the people back to their hometown, Jerusalem.

 

God does everything for the benefit of His people (10-11). God's decision to make Judah a captive of Babylon was ultimately for the prosperity and hope of the Judah people. No matter what your situation is, believe that you are on a journey to God’s destination.

 

We must live our daily lives faithfully in the place where God has sent us (4-7). The exiles in Babylonia had to settle there rather than immediately return to Jerusalem. We do not know when the kingdom of God will come. Until then, we must live faithfully on this earth and pray for peace on this earth.

 

Dear God, guide us so that we may not let go of the hope we have for the future You have planned.

 

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