Making the most of your circumstances

Norah Summers October 10, 2022 0 1

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Jeremiah 29: 1, 4-11 (NRSVA)

1 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let the prophets and the diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, says the Lord.

10 For thus says the Lord: Only when Babylon’s seventy years are completed will I visit you, and I will fulfil to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.

This is a tricky one.

You find yourself in circumstances you did not seek and do not like.

Do you rebel?

Or accept – with gratitude even?

I know the plans I have for you, says God in verse 11 – often quoted in a comforting way – don’t worry, God has it sorted.

But these earlier verses are the context and give a different slant.

Jeremiah lived in trying times, and had a very difficult brief. Tell my people, says God, to get on with their lives, settle down, make the most of their situation – build houses, plant gardens, start families.

And pray for the prosperity of your captors, so that you may prosper too.

My plan is that in seventy years –

What a promise!

And Jeremiah has to sell it to the people.

And they have to believe him,
and accept the promise
that will affect their children’s children.

What a leap of faith is asked!

Settle down. Be content. Be grateful, even.

PRAYER:

Loving God,

you know the plans you have for us.

But we don’t,

and we see only part of the situation.

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Help us to discern –

when to rebel and when to accept;

how to see forward and how to trust;

how to listen to your voice and how to obey,

and be grateful.