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 Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
4 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, 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.
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts, 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 falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.
10 For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith 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, saith 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, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
15 Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
16 [Know] that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, [and] of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
17 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will send upon them the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, and will make them like vile figs, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
18 And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:
19 Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them]; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.
20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:
21 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
22 And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
23 Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours’ wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and [am] a witness, saith the LORD.
24 [Thus] shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
25 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that [are] at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
26 The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man [that is] mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
27 Now therefore why hast thou not reproved Jeremiah of Anathoth, which maketh himself a prophet to you?
28 For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying, This [captivity is] long: build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.
29 And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.
30 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
31 Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
32 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.
Context of Jeremiah 29
Jeremiah 29 is part of the larger narrative of the Book of Jeremiah, which addresses the themes of judgment, exile, and hope for restoration. This chapter specifically deals with the letter sent by the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, providing guidance and encouragement during a time of displacement and uncertainty.
Key Themes
- Exile and Adjustment: The chapter emphasizes the reality of the Babylonian exile and the need for the Jewish exiles to adapt to their new environment.
- Hope and Restoration: Despite the harsh circumstances, the chapter contains a promise of eventual restoration and a future filled with hope.
- Divine Sovereignty: The text reflects the belief in God’s sovereignty over nations and His plans for His people, even in times of suffering.
Structure of the Chapter
- Introduction of the Letter (Verses 1-3): The chapter begins with the context of the letter, identifying Jeremiah as the author and specifying the recipients—those exiled in Babylon.
- Instructions for Living in Exile (Verses 4-7): Jeremiah provides practical advice for the exiles, urging them to build homes, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the city.
- Warning Against False Prophets (Verses 8-9): The prophet warns the exiles not to listen to false prophets who claim that the exile will be short-lived.
- Promise of Restoration (Verses 10-14): God promises that after seventy years in Babylon, He will bring the exiles back to their homeland, emphasizing His plans for their future.
- Addressing the Exiles’ Situation (Verses 15-23): The chapter includes a message about the consequences of disobedience and the fate of those who remain in Jerusalem.
- Final Assurance (Verses 24-32): The chapter concludes with a message of assurance regarding the fate of the false prophets and the importance of faithfulness to God.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-3: Context and Authority
In these opening verses, Jeremiah identifies himself and the purpose of his letter. The mention of the exiles being taken to Babylon sets the historical context. This letter serves as a divine communication, reinforcing Jeremiah’s role as a prophet and establishing the authority of the message he delivers.
Verses 4-7: Instructions for Living in Exile
Jeremiah instructs the exiles to build lives in Babylon rather than waiting passively for their return. This includes:
- Building houses and settling down.
- Planting gardens and eating their produce.
- Marrying and having children.
- Seeking the peace and prosperity of the city, as their well-being is tied to it.
This advice highlights the importance of engagement with their current reality and the need to thrive in a foreign land.
Verses 8-9: Warning Against False Prophets
Jeremiah cautions the exiles against false prophets who spread misleading messages of quick return. This warning underscores the theme of discernment and the necessity of adhering to the truth of God’s word over popular opinion.
Verses 10-14: Promise of Restoration
Here, God assures the exiles that their time in Babylon is not permanent. The promise of restoration after seventy years serves as a beacon of hope. Key points include:
- The specific timeframe of seventy years, indicating a significant but finite period of suffering.
- The assurance that God will gather His people and bring them back to their homeland.
- The emphasis on God’s plans for their welfare, highlighting His compassion and commitment to His covenant.
Verses 15-23: Addressing the Exiles’ Situation
These verses discuss the fate of those who remain in Jerusalem and the consequences of their actions. The contrast between the exiles and those left behind reinforces the idea that obedience to God leads to restoration, while disobedience leads to judgment.
Verses 24-32: Final Assurance
The chapter concludes with a focus on the false prophets and their eventual downfall. God’s judgment on these individuals serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the dangers of misleading others. The assurance given to the exiles is a call to remain steadfast in their faith during challenging times.
Conclusion
Jeremiah 29 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s presence and plans for His people, even in exile. The chapter encourages the exiles to actively engage with their circumstances while holding onto the hope of restoration. It emphasizes the importance of discernment in the face of false teachings and reassures the faithful of God’s unwavering commitment to their future.
