29:1 These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
29:4 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:
29:5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce.
29:6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.
29:7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
Growing up on the Delaware River in Titusville, New Jersey, I remember hearing the story of the Presbyterian minister who lived in the manse on River Drive. Once, the rains came hard and the river swelled, filling, then overfilling its banks. The waters came to the porch of the manse, and the fire department drove by, telling the old minister that he needed to evacuate. However, the man would not leave, saying, "The Lord will provide, the Lord will provide." Hours later, a rescue boat greeted the man at his second story window as the flood waters continued to rise rapidly. "Come with us to safety, reverend." Yet again he replied, "The Lord will provide. The Lord will provide." The last the man was seen, he was on the roof of the house, ankle deep in water, holding on to the chimney for dear life. This time the rescuers came via helicopter, but he refused to go, saying "The Lord will provide. The Lord will provide."
Now the man found himself at the entrance to the pearly gates, much to his surprise. He was met by the Lord, himself. Indignant, the preacher rebuked God, saying, "Where were you? I had faith you would save me? How could you turn your back on me? Why didn't you help me?" God looked at the old man and said, "I tried! I sent a fire truck, a boat and a helicopter!"
Sometimes we are so focused on the idea of God that we miss the truth of God. The people in Jeremiah's time had been warned that their lack of sincerity in worship would lead to the fall of their nation, that they would become exiles in a foreign land. Yet they continued on through their selfish ways, continuing to have the form of religion without the function of faith. Babylon was knocking at their door, and had destroyed everything in her path. As this fierce nation began its siege on Judah, only part of the city fell. Some of the people were hopeful, believing that God had caused the aggressor to stumble. Those who were not displaced by the attack felt that God was pleased with them and had delivered them.
Yet Jeremiah knew better. He knew the stopped attack was only temporary. God had been speaking through him for some time, warning Judah to turn from her ways, warning that a foreign power would destroy her. So he spoke again, hoping the people would understand the veracity of their situation. He told them to build gardens in this foreign land, to marry and have children here, then to marry off their children in the land of Babylon. In other words, he told the people they were going to be there for a long time.
However, prophets also offer hope. He told the people that despite the fact they would be foreigners in a foreign land, the time would come when they would be able to return home. While their action brought them into this situation, God's act would deliver them at the right time.
I like this. Too many times people think they can just pray away a situation. We all have been where the people of Israel were at one time or another, whether it was self-induced or the result of actions beyond our control. It might have been the death of a child or a spouse, or the destruction of a relationship. It might have been the result of losing contact with God or turning to additions to fill our spiritual voids. Whatever it is, though, this much is true: when we keep our eyes on God, God brings us home. It may not happen right away, but it does happen. God's desire is for the creation to be good. God does not want for us to suffer. God wants us to have life, and to have it abundantly.
Now, in this world, sometimes we do not have that abundant life. But in God, through faith in Jesus Christ, we know that there is a life to come where we cannot suffer, where we have that abundant life. In that place, there are no more Babylons, no more sins, no more suffering. Like the people of Israel who were in Babylon for the long haul, we are in this life for the long haul. We need to make the most of it. We need to live for the good that is here, and fight against the injustices that are around us. We need to live life focused on God, rather then focused on the suffering that sometimes separates us from God. We must do this because, like the people of Israel, we are going to be returned home. We just need to live our faith.
Don't be like the people of Israel or the minister who fell victim to the flood waters. Believe in God, believe in his Son, Jesus Christ. Through this belief, you will find that God will bring you home. Thanks be to God!
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