Lessons from God’s letter to the exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah 29. Living Bible.

The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, sends this message to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem.

They were in an unchangeable situation. Something like: COVID 19, the death of a spouse or child, loss of a job, a betrayal, a bad decision by a country that won’t be changed for a while – if ever – and I could go on and on.

Build homes and plan to stay; plant vineyards.

In other words: keep living!

You will be there many years. 

We have no idea how long COVID will limit our life. You may not know how long you will be in a situation that you don’t like.

Marry and have children, and then find mates for them and have many grandchildren. Multiply!

Live well and be prosperous, no matter your situation

Don’t dwindle away!

Don’t ask God to guide your steps if you won’t take faith steps in moving forward.

Work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon.

Work for peace in your situation – whether family, town or country.

Pray for her, for if Babylon has peace, so will you.

Pray for your family, town or country.

Don’t let the false prophets and mediums who are there among you fool you.

Don’t listen to ungodly information or advice.

The truth is this: You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised and bring you home again. 

That’s a lifetime! Most of us aren’t in a bad situation that long, but you could be.

For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

If you choose to follow God, you can know that He is guiding your life and has good plans for you.

Therefore listen to the word of God, all you Jewish captives over there in Babylon. 

Read, study, and pay attention to the Word of God—even when life seems difficult.

The Lord says: because Shemaiah has “prophesied” to you when I didn’t send him and has fooled you into believing his lies I will punish him and his family.

Rest assured: God will take care of those who need to be punished.