Jeremiah 29
COMMENTARY:
: 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: The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982).
DEVOTION: Recently a young man enrolled into college and was denied because his social security number was invalid. When he began to investigate it was discovered that he was a missing child and had once been on the milk carton highlighting missing children. He has since been reunited with his mother and picking up the pieces of several years of silence. While people go missing from families and fall off the grid in order to not be detected, Jeremiah reminds his readers, and us, that the Lord knows where we are and what we are involved in. That can be cause for joy or fear depending on your lifestyle but the fact remains the same. God was informing Jeremiah and instructing the Jewish exiles how to live while in captivity. What an encouraging piece of information for them at their difficult time.
CHALLENGE: God does not forget or lose track of us as we move through different situations or life events. In fact, He assures us of the opposite! As He declares in v. 7 you are to seek peace where you are as you will live in that peace! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
: 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in MY name; I have not sent them, said the LORD. (8267 “falsely” [sheqer] means liar, breach of faith, causing someone to believe an untruth, deception, fraud, or deception.)
DEVOTION: Jeremiah is a true prophet of God but in his day and in our days there are people who claim to be prophets of God but are frauds. They sound good but they are speaking lies that people what to hear and believe.
Too often those who are genuine believers are listening to those who are not really saying what the LORD wants them to say in a given situation.
We are told in Scripture to try the spirits of those we listen to. If the Holy Spirit which indwells genuine believers warns you that you shouldn’t be listening to someone because they are not speaking for HIM then DON’T LISTEN.
In the church today we have people who are saying what the listeners want to hear instead of what the LORD is genuinely saying regarding a situation. Our prayer life has to be one where we genuinely read the Word of God and pray for guidance.
Watch out for just hearing what you want to hear instead of what the LORD is really saying to you.
There are just as many false teachers and preachers today as there were in the days of the writings of the Old Testament and New Testament.
CHALLENGE: The Bible tells us to “try the spirits” of those we are listening to. The HOLY SPIRIT will give us insight if we ask HIM!
: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (8615 “expected” [tiqvah] means hope, looking forward, thing that I long for, a cord, or an outcome.)
DEVOTION: God is always thinking of HIS people. HE is thinking of them even while HE is judging them for their sins. They were not listening to HIS prophets. HE had stated that if they repented, HE would stop the invasion of the Babylonians. They didn’t want to hear it.
Now they are going into captivity because of their disobedience. The captivity was going to last seventy years.
Jeremiah was told to send a letter to those who had surrendered to the Babylonians that they were to build houses, have children and make peace with the people in Babylon. They were to live their lives according to the commands of the LORD for the seventy years.
If they obeyed HIS command through the letter of Jeremiah they would have peace in the land of Babylon. Their condition would improve if they prayed to the LORD.
However, there were false prophets who were saying that Jeremiah was wrong and the captivity wouldn’t last too long. The LORD told them through Jeremiah that HE had not sent time and they were not to listen to the false prophets.
Here HE states that HE has a plan for them and that HE is working HIS plan. HE was thinking of them even during their time of captivity. HIS thoughts were thoughts of HOPE. HE had thoughts of restoration. HE didn’t have thoughts of more captivity. HE wanted them to have the knowledge that this was not going to last over the seventy year period. HE still loved them.
God knows our outcome. HE only has thoughts of peace toward us, but HE also gives us correction when we need it. They had an end that had HOPE. We have an end that has HOPE.
Our present situation might seem bad but with the LORD there is always HOPE. Remember to TRUST HIM alone. HE never lies to HIS people. Are we living as if we are a people of hope? Does the LORD guarantee the future? YES HE does. It is a future with hope of eternity with HIM in heaven. Praise HIS name.
CHALLENGE: Know what the Bible teaches regarding our future. Know that we have a message at present that we can give to those who are suffering presently. God’s timing is always right.
: 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. (1875 “search” [darash] means to inquire, to be sought, resort to, seek, consult, or look for.)
DEVOTION: There are time periods in the life of Israel that the LORD stated that HE would not listen to their prayers. HE told them to pray to their false gods and see if they could help. HE knew the answer but HE wanted HIS people to understand that they had drifted far from HIM and they could not come back until they had paid the consequences of their actions.
Now HE is informing them that HE is going to listen again if they listen to HIM regarding HIS instructions regarding their seventy year stay in Babylon.
HE informs all those who seek HIM that they will find HIM. There is even one stipulation regarding this time period. They have to inquire of HIM with their whole heart. HE doesn’t just want them to come to HIM with a special need. HE wants them to come to HIM because they want to have fellowship with HIM. They want to get to know HIM better. They want to meet with HIM face to face.
This is true in our life as well. We have to face the consequences of our actions if they are disobedient to the LORD. Once we have faced them HE gives HOPE. HE gives the assurance of fellowship to those who are obedient. The fellowship is sweet. HE answers their prayers. HE instructs them in the right way to go. HE helps them be a witness to those around them of HIS love and compassion.
Realize that the LORD knows our inner workings. HE knows if we really mean business with HIM or if we just want a generous God who will give us what we ask for and leave us alone at other times.
CHALLENGE: Approach HIM with genuine love. Approach HIM with a genuine desire to please HIM and give HIM glory.
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.