The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Peace” it comes from the Hebrew Word “shalom” which means “peace, welfare.”
Jeremiah writes to the exiles, urging them to settle in and seek Babylon’s genuine welfare. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Jeremiah 29.
Jeremiah sends a letter to the residue of the elders who are carried away captive, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon, urging them to build houses, and dwell in them, and plant gardens, and eat their fruit, to take wives, and beget sons and daughters, that they may be increased there, and not diminished, seeking the “peace,” “shalom” in Hebrew, of the city where He has caused them to be carried away captive, and praying to the Lord for it, since in its peace they shall have peace. Jeremiah warns them not to let their prophets and diviners deceive them, nor to hearken to their dreams which they cause them to dream, for they prophesy falsely to them in His name, He has not sent them, describing that after seventy years are accomplished at Babylon, He will visit them, and perform His good word toward them, in causing them to return to this place, delivering one of Scripture’s most beloved promises, “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. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” Jeremiah records God’s promise, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD,” describing how He will turn away their captivity, and gather them from all the nations, and from all the places where He has driven them, and He will bring them again into the place from where He caused them to be carried away captive, closing with a rebuke of Shemaiah the Nehelamite, a false prophet who had sent letters urging the people to punish Jeremiah for his message, God declaring that Shemaiah has taught rebellion against Him, and he shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he behold the good that God will do for His people.
Jeremiah’s counterintuitive counsel, urging the exiles to settle in, build houses, and seek Babylon’s genuine welfare rather than merely waiting anxiously for rescue, offers timeless wisdom for finding purpose and stability even within unwanted, difficult circumstances. His beloved promise, I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not evil, to give you a future and a hope, offers enduring comfort for anyone enduring their own genuinely difficult, uncertain season.
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