For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares ADONAI [the LORD], “plans for shalom [peace] and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11, TLV
There She Goes Again with the Context Thing! You know, sometimes I’m nervous about harping on the importance of context. Over and over again. But, if you’ve been a follower of my devos over the years, you know it is valid, for all of us. With today’s passage especially.
Today’s verse is used a LOT as a source of encouragement—and that’s not necessarily out-of-context on the surface. And that’s just it, it is a superficial message when taken out of context. However, the passage contains a richness with deeper lessons when considered within the whole of the chapter.
Remember the context of this passage, and to whom GOD was talking? The Jewish people. Those folks remaining in the Southern Kingdom of Israel were to be taken captive to the pagan Babylon because of their rebellion against Him. Yet, God has told them that when they arrive, they are to live peaceably—to even pray for peace for that pagan city, to be good neighbors, and prosper.
“Build houses and live in them; also plant gardens and eat their fruit; take wives and have sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there, and do not decrease. Also seek the shalom of the city where I took you as captives in exile and pray to ADONAI for it—for in its shalom will you have shalom.” (vss. 5-7, TLV)
Taken into captivity and they’re supposed to pray for their enemies? This is a foretaste of what GOD plans to do in the future—thousands of years later.
He also tells them 70 years later, their exile would be complete, and they would return to Israel.
For thus says ADONAI: “After 70 years for Babylon are complete, I will visit you, and fulfill My good word toward you—to bring you back to this place [Israel].” (vs. 10, TLV)
In the meantime, before they are hauled away to Babylon, Israel was warned to not listen to the so-called prophets who give words that would say otherwise. To give a false hope that Israel wouldn’t be taken into exile. Or perhaps it was a mistake that GOD would rectify. Because really, who wants to hear that news?
For thus says ADONAI, the God of Israel: “Do not let your prophets who are among you, or your diviners beguile you, and pay no attention to the dreams which you make them keep dreaming. For they prophesy falsely to you in My Name; I have not sent them.” It is a declaration of ADONAI. (vss. 8-9, TLV)
Then, one day, GOD’s plans for a future and hope would come to fruition. But even that picture is probably not what we would envision. Because, one day the very people who have persecuted them through thousands of years are the people Israel’s redeemed children — redeemed by their long-awaited Messiah — will bring the Good News. That these pagans could now be redeemed, too — grafted into the cultured Jewish Olive Tree (Romans 11).
Why, again?
Why is it important to remember context? To not lean on our own understanding of what we believe that single verse means? Because today, we tend to take GOD’s word out of context. We’re so busy we don’t always take the time to ensure we’re accurate about what we understand and share with others.
We forget that the promises may only come through trial and tribulation. Or those promises have an eternal value and complete fulfillment won’t be seen in our lifetime.
If we are still on the mindset that we know who GOD will or will not curse, then we definitely need to be reminded. Reminded that our Father wants all His children redeemed and those who aren’t, He mourns.
There is an immediate truth that we can take away from this verse, and the whole context of GOD’s word: He loves us. And when we return that love, great things happen—no matter what is going on around us. Hopeful news for all those natural branches and grafted branches, yes?
Shabbat Shalom!
