Jeremiah 29

Jeremiah 29:8-14

We have here, 1. Jeremiah’s letter to the captives, cautioning them to become of the false prophets, to settle in Babylon, and patiently expect the expiration of the seventy years, denouncing death on two of their deceivers, ver. 1—23. 2. Shemailah’s letter against Jeremiah, ver. 24—29. 3. A denunciation of God’s wrath against him, ver. 30—32.

1. NOW these are the words of the letter, that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2. After that “Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the Smiths were departed from Jerusalem” 3. By the hand of Elisha the son of Shaphon, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) Spring. 4. Thus faith the LORD of hofts the God of Israel unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon. 5. Build ye houses, and dwell in them, and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them. 6. Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters, that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

2. 1—7. We have here the letter of Jeremiah to the captives in Babylon, written by divine authority. It is directed to the prophets, priests, and people carried away captive by Nebuchadnezzar, after Jeconiah had surrendered himself, whose case seemed most peculiarly miserable, and perhaps they revived their brethren who were left; though their own lot, if they knew how to improve it, was far more desirable. The letter was sent by Zedekiah’s messengers, who went with the tribute, or to cultivate the friendship of the king of Babylon; and the contents of it were designed to encourage their hopes in God; to concur them under their afflictions, to exhort them patiently to wait God’s appointed time, and prevent their being defrauded by false prophets to expect a deliverance sooner than the expiration of the seventy years.

3. He adderlies them in God’s name, and he his authority, Thus faith the Lord of hofts, able to have to the unremost, and the God of Israel, who still acknowledged his relation to them, and had not call them out of concussing, though he had call them out of their land: thus, though perplexed, they may not be in despair. I have ensued you to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon, God’s hand was in it; without which, no human power could have prevailed against them. Note, (1.) Though God visits the iniquities of his people with a rod, and their sin with scourges, he is still their God, and will not take his loving kindness utterly from them. Let his Israel still hope in the Lord: (2.) The consideration from whose hand all our sufferings come, should silence every murmuring thought.

4. He encourages them to sit down content in their present state, to wait patiently God’s time of deliverance; and in the mean while better themselves as comfortably as might be; to build, and plant, and marry, that they might not be diminished either in wealth or numbers, when they should return again unto their own land, v. 5, 6, and intimates that God would give them a peaceable abode, and comfortable enjoyment of their possessions, even in the land of their captivity. Now, Wherever we are call by God’s providence, or into whatever state of affliction, it is our wisdom not only to submit, but make the best of our situation, and live in hopes of better days.

5. He exhorts them to be peaceable under the government of the king of Babylon, though a brethren, and are coming to God; yet to show all good fidelity, and to far from plotting against the state, in order to recover their liberty, to seek the prosperity of the country in which they were captives, and pray to God to preserve and increase it, for in the peace thereof should they have peace. It was their interest to do so; seeing in every calamity of that land they would be involved, and in the prosperity of it find their advantage. Note, If we must submit to the power of oppressors, and pray for the peace of the land of our captivity, how much more are we bound to be loyal subjects under the mulder government, and in this our land or liberty to seek and pray for the peace thereof?

6. ¶ For thus faith the LORD of hofts, the God of Israel, Let not your prophets and your diviners that be in the midst of you, * deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. 9. For they prophesy falsify unto you in my name; * I have not sent them, faith the LORD. 10. ¶ For thus faith the LORD, that after seventy years he accomplished at Babylon, * I will visit you, and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place. 11. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, faith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12. * Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, * and I will hearken unto you. 13. And * ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me * with all your heart. 14. And * I will be found of you, faith the LORD, and I will turn away your captivity, and * I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, faith the LORD, and * I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

To engage them to patient waiting upon God, 1. He warns them to pay no regard to the false prophets, who promised them a speedy return to their own land, and thereby discouraged them from settling in Babylon. Their dreams were the fancies of their own imagination, and never to be encouraged or listened to; since though they used the name of God, they lied, and never had a revelation from him, v. 9, 10. Note, When people love to be deceived, they will readily find flatterers to their ruin.

2. He assures them, though their prophets were false, God’s promises would be found true, and accomplished in due season. When the seventy years were ended, his purposes concerning them were all gracious, even their captivity was designed for their good, chap. xxiv. 5. and the expected end should assuredly come; only let them with patience wait for it, and in earnest prayer and supplication seek the fulfillment of the divine promises; searching after God with all their heart, in foreword and simplicity, and then he will assuredly be found of them in mercy, and turn their captivity into a blissful restoration unto their own land. Note, (1.) They who rush the promises of God, shall never be disappointed. (2.) As nothing can hasten any event one moment sooner than the divine decree hath fixed it, neither can any difficulties retard the execution of God’s word when the appointed season comes. (3.) God’s promises should ensue, not supersede our prayers. (4.) They who search for God with all their heart, are sure to find him near to hear and answer them.