Daily Archives: February 25th, 2025

The Hope of God (NRSV) Jer 29:1 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah, and the queen mother, the court officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the artisans, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. It said: 4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the LORD. 10 For thus says the LORD: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Jer.29:11 is certainly a favorite verse of multitudes of people. But I wonder how many are aware of the origins of this promise. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. It must have been difficult to be in the company of one who was so very sad, but Jeremiah’s heart broke over the plight of his people. You see, Jeremiah did not just warn of some future destruction, he lived in its very midst. When Jeremiah told the Babylonian captives to raise their families in the land of their captivity, he was not telling them to become assimilated into Babylonian culture. Rather, he was preparing them for a lengthy exile. But just as God offered hope to those in captivity to the Babylonians, He has a promise of hope for us today. God knows our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows. May we cling to the hope that is found in Him. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

♦ February 25, 2025 ♦ Leave a comment

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