In this specific passage, Jeremiah has just scribed these words as a letter and sent it to the "residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon; (after that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon). (Jeremiah 29:1-4)
No small audience and indeed, to some extent all inclusive. Within, Jeremiah is relaying to those carried away as captives what the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel saith.
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace."
In other words, worship Me, saith the Lord, and I will give you rest! Worship Me and I will cause you to be fruitful and increased there -- not diminished. Worship Me and ye shall eat the fruit of your labour and be satisfied. Pray unto the Lord, seeking His wisdom and counsel, for all this and much more, for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace, saith the Lord.
Further, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; "Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy FALSELY unto you in My Name: I have NOT sent them," saith the Lord.
How do we know this to be true?
For thus saith the Lord, "That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I WILL VISIT YOU, and perform My Good Word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," saith the Lord, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you," saith the Lord: "and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you," saith the Lord; "and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive!'
And, as we now know, the Lord did come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) God was manifest in the flesh so that we could behold His glory -- the Great Shepherd who willingly became our Saviour. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16) The same Lord, the King that sits upon the Throne of David, who personally delivered to us His plan of salvation, shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have life in Him. (Acts 20:28)
This is the blessing for this day, that we can know the Name of the God who is written in our hearts. His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:18-21)
The Great I AM -- King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever, amen!
Stand in the offering plate.
In other words, worship Me, saith the Lord, and I will give you rest! Worship Me and I will cause you to be fruitful and increased there -- not diminished. Worship Me and ye shall eat the fruit of your labour and be satisfied. Pray unto the Lord, seeking His wisdom and counsel, for all this and much more, for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace, saith the Lord.
Further, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; "Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy FALSELY unto you in My Name: I have NOT sent them," saith the Lord.
How do we know this to be true?
For thus saith the Lord, "That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I WILL VISIT YOU, and perform My Good Word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you," saith the Lord, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you," saith the Lord: "and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you," saith the Lord; "and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive!'
And, as we now know, the Lord did come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) God was manifest in the flesh so that we could behold His glory -- the Great Shepherd who willingly became our Saviour. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16) The same Lord, the King that sits upon the Throne of David, who personally delivered to us His plan of salvation, shedding His precious, holy blood so that we might have life in Him. (Acts 20:28)
This is the blessing for this day, that we can know the Name of the God who is written in our hearts. His Name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us." (Matthew 1:18-21)
The Great I AM -- King of kings and Lord of lords forever and ever, amen!
Stand in the offering plate.
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