Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Jeremiah 29:1 (NIV)
“This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.”
Jeremiah 29:1 (MSG)
“This is the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to what was left of the elders among the exiles, to the priests and prophets and all the exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken to Babylon from Jerusalem…”
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“Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders in exile and to the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.” -AMPLIFIED
“Continuing in chronological order from chapter 28, this chapter details a letter sent to those who are in captivity. Since Hezekiah has been king for four years (28:1), the deported Jews have been in Babylon long enough to begin to wonder what they will do for themselves for the remainder of their captivity. This reveals that God wants man to have a clear understanding of His plan for his life.” ~Melissa Beaty
As Jeremiah 28 closed out, we found God delivering justice and vindication for Jeremiah. Two months after Jeremiah had gone to Hananiah with this Message:
“Listen, Hananiah! The Eternal has not sent you, but still the people of this nation have believed your lies. So the Eternal now says this to you: “Pay attention. I am about to wipe you from the face of the earth. Because you have stirred up rebellion against Me with your words, you will die this year.” -Jeremiah 28:15-16 (VOICE)
We are told that Hananiah died. God dealt with Hananiah’s rebellion.
“And the prophet Hananiah died that year in the seventh month.” -Jeremiah 28:17 (CSB)
As we begin Jeremiah chapter 29, we are informed that Jeremiah has written a letter. Much of the chapter pertains to this letter, which contains words of caution, encouragement, guidance, and hope. We will be addressing each of these subjects as we come to them as we read through and study Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles.
“The prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the rest who had been taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.” -(VOICE)
The chapter begins by informing us that we will be reading a letter written by Jeremiah, while he resided in Jerusalem. This letter was written to the exiles who had survived and were residing in Babylon.
We find Jeremiah listing the recipients of the letter in a specific order: “…the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people…” -(NASB) First to the elders, then the priests, then the prophets, and finally all the other people. The intention of this was so that the wise elders could read the letter first, prepare themselves for what was contained in the letter, so they could in turn share it with the priests, then the prophets, and then the people, and give them the moral support that they would need.
This letter was a Message from God Almighty Himself. A Message that many of them still were not ready to hear. The letter will remind them that God had decreed that the exiles were going to be spending the next 70 years in Babylon, and they needed to settle in and live their lives. Within the letter we will find words of hope, encouragement, and guidance, as well as words of caution. Those words of caution were once again directed towards the people who continued to listen to the false hopes that the false prophets were feeding them.
What we learn about Jeremiah from this first verse:
- Jeremiah had a heart for the people and cared about what happened to the exiles.
- Jeremiah took the time to comfort and to encourage those who he knew were confused and hurting.
- Jeremiah wanted to give to the people hope for their future.
“After Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the court officials, the tribal officers, and craftsmen had been deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah wrote them a letter from Jerusalem, addressing it to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets, and to all the people.” -(TLB vs. 1-2)
“In 597 B. C., the Babylonians began to deport the Jews to Babylon. Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles helps us understand how we can make the best of a difficult situation. ” ~Warren W. Wiersbe
My friend, your life is your message to others. So, ask yourself, what sort of message am I sending to others?
Is it a message of love?
“My loved ones, let us devote ourselves to loving one another. Love comes straight from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and truly knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” -1 John 4:7-8 (VOICE)
Is it a message of hope?
“Open the eyes of their hearts, and let the light of Your truth flood in. Shine Your light on the hope You are calling them to embrace. Reveal to them the glorious riches You are preparing as their inheritance. Let them see the full extent of Your power that is at work in those of us who believe, and may it be done according to Your might and power.” -Ephesians 1:18-19a (VOICE)
Is it a message of peace?
“Work toward unity, and live in harmony with one another. Avoid thinking you are better than others or wiser than the rest; instead, embrace common people and ordinary tasks. Do not retaliate with evil, regardless of the evil brought against you. Try to do what is good and right and honorable as agreed upon by all people. If it is within your power, make peace with all people.” -Romans 12:16-18 (VOICE)
Is it a message of joy?
“Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment.” -Psalm 16:11 (VOICE)
Is it a message of encouragement?
“My spiritual brothers and sisters, if one of our faithful has fallen into a trap and is snared by sin, don’t stand idle and watch his demise. Gently restore him, being careful not to step into your own snare. Shoulder each other’s burdens, and then you will live as the law of the Anointed teaches us. Don’t take this opportunity to think you are better than those who slip because you aren’t; then you become the fool and deceive even yourself.” -Galatians 6:1-3 (VOICE)
Is it a message that points others to Christ?
“You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.” -Matthew 5:16 (VOICE)
“You may be the only Bible some people read. How you carry yourself as a committed believer in Jesus Christ is as important as what you say.” ~Carl Crouse
My friend, what sort of message is your life sending to others? Remember, you are the only Jesus some people will ever see. Live your life exemplifying Jesus Christ, for you are His ambassador in a dark world. May we be actively demonstrating His love, hope, peace, joy, and encouragement to those around us.
“Only God can turn mess into a message, a test into a testimony, a trial into a triumph, a victim into a victory.” ~UNKNOWN
My Prayer:
Adonai Elohim, my Great Lord, I am reminded that my life is my message, a testimony of your faithfulness to those around me. Help me to be actively and intentionally showing your love, your hope, your peacefulness, your joy, and giving your encouragement to others. Your Word reminds me that I am to be a light in the darkness that points the lost to you. Lord, help me to be shining my light brightly. Let my message and testimony bring glory to my Heavenly Father. Thank you, Lord.
Growing with God 