Jeremiah 29-31

Consequences - Jeremiah 29-31

Good Morning! Today we move through chapters 29 to 31. When you read these chapters GOD's people have been captured by the Babylonians. I would guess that the tone would be very somber, their hope would be lost, they have let GOD down for the last time, maybe they feel there are no more second chances.

Chapter 30 and 31 foretell's of how GOD is going to restore, and heal Israel. Chapter 29 is what we are going to focus on today.

Jeremiah 29:4-114 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of
Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from
Jerusalem to Babylon:
5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens
and eat what they produce. 6 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. I
ncrease in number there; do not decrease.
7 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."
8 Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets
and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage
them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,"
declares the LORD.
10 This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will
come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I
know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Thought for the Day
Chapter 29 was very interesting to me. It is a letter from Jeremiah, on behalf of GOD, to the people that are in exile. The tone of the letter has a very parenting tone to it.

GOD is telling the surviving people to adapt to their new surrounds, keep on living lives, do as the Babylonians tell. GOD even goes as far as to tell them to seek peace, and even pray for the city that has taken them captive, for if they do well, you will do well. But, even though they are living in a foreign land, they must still keep ME as your GOD. Be prepared because they are going to be there awhile (70 years).

That is good advice from GOD. So many times we get ourselves into sin and places that we should not be. I mean let's face it, while we are in that sin it is OK, it feels good for awhile, but GOD is the one being hurt.

But, as soon as we repent, we want GOD to save us right away. We want everything to be the same as it was before we started sinning. The really neat thing about our GOD is that HE is right there, even though we betray HIM and leave HIM, He is right there when we want to return, full of love, and mercy.

But, sometimes there are consequences for our sin, and we should be prepared to accept those consequences and use that time, as a time to get back to GOD, and repair our relationship. During that time, it may feel as if GOD is far away, HE is not, I think sometimes HE may want to see how serious we are and how strong our faith is.

I would hope that we all grow in our relationship with Jesus we would stray away less and less, so that our relationship with Him continues to become more intense. So even when satan launches everything he has at us, we are firmly planted In HIM!!! :)

Bible Trivia
Which one of Joseph's brothers kept his other brothers from killing Joseph?
a) Judah
b) Benjamin
c) Dan
d) Reuben
Hint: Genesis 37:17-21

Gods411 Interactive
Archived Devotionals - Look up past devotionals
Video Devotionals! Get a Overview of Our Lessons
Find Your Answers - Gods411 Topical Bible
Find Your Prayer - Praying the Bible
Wisdom of Proverbs - Search by Topic

Reading Schedule
View August's Reading Schedule
Have a BLESSED Day!