Jeremiah’s scribe, Baruch, wrote this book but doesn’t order everything chronologically. Today’s event that stands out to me is the one that happened after the people were exiled to Babylon. Jeremiah writes them a letter from Jerusalem, and his message for them in Babylon is to not put life on hold.
A Surprising Message
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:4–7, NLT)
God wants His people to build homes, plant gardens, marry and have children and grandchildren, and multiply—don’t dwindle away—in Babylon! But isn’t the Babylonian culture anti-God? Isn’t Babylon the worst place imaginable to raise a family? Does God really want them to bring children into this terribly corrupt and pagan society? Oh, and seek and pray for the peace of Babylon on top of it, because its welfare affects their welfare? Yep—we can check yes on each one of those questions! God expected His people to carry on with a functional life in the middle of a crooked and perverse society and culture.
Put Away Fear and Live for God
What an encouragement for us today! The truth is that the god of this world has always been anti-God. Human nature is depraved. Sin abounds everywhere. Yet God’s plan remains; Christians are to live a God-ordained functional life amid evil. When days get dark with evil, that is not when we dwindle, pull back out of fear, or waste our time away longing for an ideal world so we can live the perfect life! God is still in charge, on His throne, and sovereign. So, let’s carry on with functional lives amid a wicked world.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16, KJV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 26-29.