When our children were graduating High School, Jeremiah
29:11 was a popular verse used with graduation cards, gifts and so forth. It
may still be popular. The text, probably quoted from the New International
Version of the Bible, reminds graduates that God has “plans to give you hope
and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) “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.”
While this Scripture is true and still speaks to
us today (Romans
15:4), the contextless verse often “says” to the reader “God has a great
future for me” (with “great” meaning “what I want and expect”). The context straightens
the meaning out for us, which is deeper and fuller than the “verse on a card”
or “verse on a cup” approach. Here also is the reading from the King James
Version of the Bible:
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,[i] saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
The words of verse 11 are part of the prophecy of
Jeremiah “to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from
Jerusalem to Babylon” (Jeremiah
29:1). Prophets rose up in Babylon
to speak falsely in Jehovah’s name (Jeremiah
29:21). Among those who remained in Jerusalem, Hananiah said that within
two years God would break the yoke of the king of Babylon, bring back those who
had already gone into captivity, and restore the vessels of the Lord’s house to
the temple (Jeremiah
28:2-4). Into this lie Jeremiah must speak the truth. Not only will
this not happen, but those who are still at Jerusalem will also go into
captivity! The yoke will not be broken in two years, but Israelites will remain
captives in a strange land for seventy years.[ii]
Do not spend the next two years expecting to come home, but settle down for the
long term in the land where you are – “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.” (Jer. 29:7). This is the context and
meaning in its context – God knows the thoughts and plans he has for Israel
(Cf. Isaiah
55:9). Those to whom he has not revealed those thought are liars (Romans
3:4). The Lord has thoughts
of peace and prosperity in their future. Even their captivity, though a
judgment, is for their good (Jeremiah
24:5). Their history is not concluded – it has a future – and there
will be an ending in fulfillment of their expectations.[iii]
God knows – he does not forget what he purposes to do.
To us this speaks today, within the context of
Jeremiah and the general principles taught in the Bible. We look not for the
fulfilling of all our desires. We know not all the thoughts God has, but we
know that even in the midst of that which is disappointing, depressing, and distressing,
God is working all things for good to them that love him, to them who are the
called according to his purpose (Romans
8:28).
[i] “I alone” – not the false
prophets who pretend to speak for me.
[ii]
This had already been expressed by Jeremiah, as recorded in Jeremiah
25:11-12.
[iii] The “expected end” must
be understood in the context of God’s work among his people Israel more than
applied to individuals. The current generation – “the elders which were carried
away captives” – would never return to their homeland, but their hopes could be
fulfilled in their children and grandchildren (Cf. 1
Chronicles 22:7; 1
Chronicles 28:6).
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