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
Context is Important. Remember the context of this passage, and to whom GOD was talking? Israel was 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)
But, one day (in 70 years) 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)
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.
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, His 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 give the Good News. That these pagans could now be redeemed, too — grafted into the cultured Jewish Olive Tree (Romans 11).
Why is context important on Monday, February 7th, 2022? Because today, we tend to take GOD’s word out of context. We forget that the promises may only come through trial and tribulation. Or those promises have an eternal value and context we can’t see. We judge those who we believe GOD has or will curse, when our Father wants all His children redeemed.
There is a truth that we can takeaway from this verse, and the whole context of GOD’s word: He loves us. And when we return that love, great things happen. Hopeful news for all those natural branches and grafted branches, yes?
