Bloom where you are Planted

Read Jeremiah 29.

This is a fascinating and encouraging letter from Jeremiah to those who had been taken in exile to Babylon.  First, the false prophets had preached that this would not happen at all.  Next, the false prophets changed their message and began saying that it was temporary and would only last two years.  But all along God had spoken through Jeremiah that this would be a 70-year exile; one year for each of the Sabbath years they had failed to obey.

Those living Babylon needed to hear again that they would be there for the rest of their lives.  They were encouraged to settle into their new home, but not be assimilated into Babylonian culture.  In Psalm 137:4, they were discouraged and asked, "How shall we sing the LORD's song in a foreign land?"  They had lost everything.  What were they supposed to do now?

Here is God's encouragement to them.  I believe the same encouragement is ours as believers today.  1 Peter 2:11 refers to believers in Jesus as "sojourners and exiles" who live on earth, waiting for the joy of our final home.
1. "Multiply there." (v.6b)
They needed to recognize that though this was temporary as a people, for now it was home.  They were to carry on life as they would have done in Judah; marry, raise a family and celebrate these things.

2. "Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you." (v.7a)
They were not there by accident.  God put them in that city for a purpose.  They were on a mission.  Here were the people who claimed to know the one true God, living in a pagan culture.  They were to demonstrate the difference the LORD made in their lives.  It was to be shown by their good works and how they behaved.  Of all people, they were to be the best of citizens.

The Apostle Peter wrote a similar encouragement to Christians living in the Roman Empire.  "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people." (1 Peter 2:13-15)

3. "Pray to the LORD on its behalf." (v.7b)
Rather than living in rebellion and speaking badly about the pagan culture, these exiles were to pray for their city.  How many Christians even know the names of their city leaders, let alone pray for them?

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

4. In the plan of God, this was temporary. (v.11)
He had "a future and a hope" in store for them.  In 70 years, the LORD would return them to their land and restore their nation.  Our hope today is not in this temporary life.  "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)