2 Plans for Me
Part of Misused Scriptures 2023
May 14, 2023

We are exploring 4 portions of scripture that are often misused or misunderstood among God people. This week, our sermon title is, Plans for Me? And in it we will explore a very popular scripture.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. —Jeremiah 29:11

Man, we see this often displayed on posters, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. Frankly, when I see it, it is a little bit of a pick me up, AMEN?

However, before it can be applied, it must first be understood in context.

When understanding Scripture, we must keep in mind the distinction between a passage’s interpretation and the same passage’s application: a passage can have only one meaning, but it may have many applications. And this verse is no different. The verse has only one meaning. What is it?

Jeremiah 29 is addressed to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. As punishment for the sins of Judah, God sent the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and the temple and then, to carry away many of the people to Babylon.

At the time Jeremiah wrote Jeremiah 29, Nebuchadnezzar had already removed some Jews to Babylon, see this here in v1

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. —Jeremiah 29:1

Jeremiah writes to the exiles to tell them that the exiled people would return to the land after 70 years here in v10

For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. —Jeremiah 29:10

Then he reassures them in verse 11 that God has not forsaken them. They will be restored. God’s plans for His Chosen People were seen at the end of v11

“…for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” —Jeremiah 29:11b

In its primary meaning, Jeremiah 29:11 has nothing to do with any person living today. This verse was a promise to the Jews who were in exile in Babylon during the sixth century BC.

However, does that mean there is no application for us today? My opinion is, I don’t think so.

This verse reflects a more general principle of God’s grace and affections for those whom He loves, including the modern church. This more general application can be made because of the unchanging nature of God. Hebrews says

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. —Hebrews 13:8

For those who are in Christ, God has promised that our sins are forgiven and we stand before God justified. Shades of Jeremiah 29:11 are seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as in

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. —Romans 8:31–33

So, if by quoting Jeremiah 29:11 we are thinking of our security in Christ, then the wording is appropriate, even if the historical context does not apply.

But for us today. a word of caution on Jeremiah 29:11… it can and is misused as well. 2 DANGERS

First, it is sometimes wrongly applied to humanity in general. Strictly speaking, the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 does not apply to every human being, but only those who are God’s people. By definition, lost people are…well… lost! So their “Future Hope” is in eternal separation from God.

Outside of Jesus the only Savior, there is no future and no hope

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. —John 3:18

Too often, Jeremiah 29:11 is made to give the impression that God is a doting grandfather who just wants to spoil all people. DON’T DO THAT

The second danger of using this verse without understanding the context is that all of Israel would be restored. In fact, a very few of the original exiles lived to see the fulfillment of that prophecy 70 years later. See this promise was for the nation of Israel, not specifically for individuals.

Most of them died without physically returning, but as a people group, they did return. Likewise, the future and hope we have in Christ are not a guarantee that things will go well in this life. In fact, we all suffer

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. —John 16:33

For most believers throughout history and in the world today, the world is a cold, anti-God and dangerous place. We stand on the promise of

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 8:38-39

So, in proper context and meaning, remember that Jeremiah 29:11 was a prophetic revelation to the future of the exiled Jews in Babylon. It is not a promise to all Christians that they will have a prosperous life and avoid suffering, struggle and hard times.

Our future, our hope and the prosperity that God has planned for believers will be fully realized only after this life of suffering is over.