“This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” —Jeremiah 29:4-7
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.
If you are still breathing, you are better off than some!
What are the people told to do in these Not so Good Circumstances!
Isn’t that really the question for all of us wherever we find ourselves?
How do we move forward from here toward God’s planned better tomorrow?
There are 4 principles I want to point out from this passage.
Your better tomorrow starts today.
Your better tomorrow starts where you are not where you’re not.
Your better tomorrow begins, when you begin to invest in it.
Your better tomorrow and your neighbor’s better tomorrow are linked.
If only….then I’s, are excuses that lead to inaction!
Every better tomorrow begins with a better action today.
No better tomorrow comes from If Only-Then I’s.
God’s instructions to prosper NOW where you are!
Build Houses and settle down.
Be productive: Enjoy the fruits of your labors.
Build families:
Increase in influence. Strength in numbers.
Work for the benefit of your city! Peace = shalom = welfare, prosperity, completeness, safety, tranquility, contentment, friendship, soundness.
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. —Proverbs 29:2 ESV
The word translated as THRIVE or INCREASE is the Hebrew word RAWBAW which means to increase in whatever respect, exel, to make great, grow up.
As they sought the peace, wellbeing of the city they themselves prospered, and they grew in influence. May we do the same!
Discussion Questions
Read the passage:
“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. 2 (This was after King Jehoiachin[a] and the queen mother, the court officials and the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the skilled workers and the artisans had gone into exile from Jerusalem.) 3 He entrusted the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon.” —Jeremiah 29 1-3
- How would you describe their circumstances?
- How do you think you would feel if you were in their circumstances?
Can you tell us a time when you have felt that way? Share a story: (Lost a job, marriage ended, bankruptcy, went to jail, lost everything because of addiction)
If Jeremiah 29:11 was said to them in this circumstance, how do you even begin to align your actions with the belief?
Go back and read Jeremiah 4-7 at the top of the notes:
- How would that apply to us in our day and our circumstances?
- What do you think it means to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile”?
- Do you believe that God has you (location wise) right where he wants you?
What would it look like for you to seek the prosperity of the city? What could you do?
Why do you think it’s important that he said to build houses and families?
- Do you think that there’s more to building families and increasing/not decreasing than just numbers?
What does building a family look like? (Marriages, children, community, care, nurture, family values.)