"'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.'"
This is an extremely encouraging verse often quoted in isolation. Understanding the context surrounding this verse makes it even more encouraging and relatable as it reveals the kindness and faithfulness of God's character despite our wrongdoings. It also reminds us that there's light at the end of the tunnel...but we must still walk through the tunnel. Let's take a look:
"This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” Jeremiah 29:10-14 NLT
Leading up to this point, the people of Judah had been sinning deliberately and recklessly. Despite numerous warnings the Lord sent through His prophet, Jeremiah, to stop and repent, they continued in their rebellious ways. They listened to false prophets, such as Hananiah, who told the people what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear (i.e. the truth). Therefore, the Lord released divine punishment - basically their sins caught up to them. The Israelites were exiled to Babylon, the land of their enemies for 70 years (see verse 10). Really think about that...you have to live with your enemy day after day for 70 years. When you read Lamentations, you see it was utterly miserable for them during this time. Although the Lord doesn't remove the punishment, He reassures them of His good promise: not only would He bring them back from exile, but He had good things planned for them in the future. As a result, their relationship with the Lord would be restored (verses 12-14).
My non-theological, extremely loose interpretation to align with modern times and terms:
A bunch of kids disrespect and rebel against their dad. He gives them warnings to stop, but they don't. He temporarily kicks them out of the house and sends them to stay with their mean neighbor. Despite the dad's frustration with his kids and the need to discipline them, he takes the time to tell them they won't be staying with the neighbor forever. He'll eventually come pick them up and bring them back home where they can have ice cream after dinner.
Only a father full of love and grace would tell his misbehaving, out of control kids that he has gifts waiting for them once they come out of being in timeout/grounded.
Wait, there's more...
The Lord tells them in verses 5-7 to build homes, garden, marry, reproduce, and pray for the peace and prosperity of Babylon (their enemy) while in exile. That's right...in the midst of suffering, they were commanded to live as well as they could in enemy territory and seek the peace and prosperity of their enemies. "Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” What a counter-cultural concept! What does that tell me? We can look forward to the light at the end of the tunnel being bright, but we can also find and hold onto glimmers of light the entire time we're in the tunnel (life's tough circumstances) based on how we view and respond to the situation.
So what else can I glean from Jeremiah 29?
God always wants the best for us. We have seen that since the creation of the world and see it again in Jeremiah 29:11.
He is faithful, even when we're not. Always has been, always will be! (Jeremiah 29:10, 2 Timothy 2:13)
He is full of love, grace, and mercy. (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Nothing can separate us from God’s love. (Jeremiah 29:14, Romans 8:31-39)
He is just, yet merciful. He doesn't punish us as we deserve. (Jeremiah 29:10, Psalm 103:10)
Weeping/suffering/sorrow may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Jeremiah 29:10, Psalm 30:5)
Persevere through the suffering and trials. Make the best of it while it lasts. Stay encouraged - It will get better! (Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10-14)
There are consequences to sin. Don't ignore the warnings or the way of escape God provides to avoid sin. (Jeremiah 29:17-19, 1 Corinthians 10:13)
God wants to be reconciled with us when we distance ourselves from Him through sin. That's been the case ever since the first sin was committed. He sent His only begotten Son to save us and reconcile our relationship with Him. (Jeremiah 29:12-14, 2 Corinthians 5:19)
Be careful of the temptation to only listen to the teachings that make us "feel" good. Beware of false teachers/prophets. (Jeremiah 29:8-9, 15-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, 2 Timothy 4:3)
God is good, all the time...and all the time, God is good!!!!!
Read the entire chapter/book for yourself, how does it relate to where you are currently in life or where you've been? What else did you gain from reading the entire chapter (before and after verse 11)?