When it comes to Bible study, I’m a context guy. Annoyingly so. It really bothers me when verses are taken from their context, especially when they are then used to mean something very different than the original meaning.
Jeremiah 29 is a special chapter in the book. Jeremiah, under God’s direction, writes a letter to the exiles in Babylon. Contrary to what other “prophets” had told them, Jeremiah lets them know that their captivity will be a long one. He tells them to settle down, form families and adjust to life in this new land.
Then God gives them a specific timeframe for their captivity and promises for what will happen after that time:
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
For many a Precious Promises calendar and inspirational poster, Jeremiah 29:11 has become a standalone verse, promising for all time that God is going to do good things for whomever reads it. I’ve been known to say, “Well, if you’re enduring 70 years of captivity in Babylon, then these words would certainly apply to you.” Yes, I can be a bit of a smart aleck.
These words do offer hope. There’s a reminder that even when he punishes us, God still loves us. There’s a reminder that I don’t need to be short-sighted about things, that God’s plans for good can often take a generation or two. There’s a reminder that God ultimately wants to bless us, and that my own rebellion can get in the way of that.
Jeremiah 29:11 is not meant to support chess-board theology, that theory that God is moving humans around like pieces on a chessboard. It does remind remind us that he is present and active in our world, even when 70 years of suffering make us think otherwise.
Am I being too harsh with those who want to use this verse as a promise that God is going to do good things for them all through their life? To me, 70 years is a long time. Few of the people that I hear quote this verse seem to be willing to wait 70 years for those good things God has promised. Or am I misreading both them and the biblical passage?
I guess the question is how do God’s plans for Judah impact and express His plans for us. In view of Romans 8:28, there may be some connection for those who are called according to His calling. But, there the text explicitly says that “all thing work together for good.” I would think that “all things” includes things both good and bad…. So there is likely not much there for the average person who invokes Jeremiah 29 to find assurance that God will always have his own personal blessing in mind, especially if he is not learning to walk in love as dear children of God should walk.
Tim,
Really enjoy your thoughts and I follow the same line of thinking. I don’t have a problem with 3/4 of this verse. I think god knows my plans and he has given me a hope and a future in Christ Jesus. The part I have a problem with is the part most people hold onto the most. Even without the inherent problems you discuss about putting myslef in the place of an Israelite in captivity, I don’t understand how people hold onto this promise as truth when we are guaranteed suffering in Christ. The biggest problem I see is people wanting to live under the blessings of Deut (1st covenant) and also the grace of Christ. They want promises of prosperity (or at least prosperity without guilt or obligation) when it comes to material things but Jesus when it comes to grace covering our sins.