7/8/2023 0 Comments Scripture jeremiah 29 11![]() ![]() God has plans for those in Christ, and those plans are good. For those who are in Christ, God has promised that our sins are forgiven and we stand before God justified. ![]() Likewise, God has promised believers in Christ certain things that are not applicable to the human race in general. This promise was not made to all nations at the time, but only to Israel. God had promised to bring Israel back therefore, the exiles could be assured that they had a future and a hope. This more general application can be made because of the unchanging nature of God. In particular, this verse reflects a more general principle of God’s grace and affections for those whom He loves, including the modern church. However, the sentiment expressed is so beautiful and encouraging, is there not any sense in which it applies today? The answer is, yes. This verse applied only to the Jews who were in exile in Babylon during the sixth century BC. In the primary application, Jeremiah 29:11 has nothing to do with any person living today. God’s plans for His Chosen People were “for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (NLT). Then he reassures them in verse 11 that God has not forsaken them. Jeremiah writes to the exiles to tell them that people would return to the land after 70 years (verse 10). (See Jeremiah 25:8–14 for one example.) At the time Jeremiah wrote Jeremiah 29, Nebuchadnezzar had already removed some Jews to Babylon (see verse 1), although the total destruction of Jerusalem and the temple was still to come. ![]() As punishment for the sins of Judah, God was going to send the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and the temple and to carry away many of the people to Babylon. Jeremiah 29 is addressed to the exiles in Babylon. When interpreting Scripture, we must keep in mind the distinction between a passage’s interpretation and the same passage’s application: a passage can have only one meaning, but it may have many applications. However, before it can be applied, it must first be understood in context. This verse is often spoken as a promise of hope to people who are grieving or discouraged. Jeremiah 29:11 is often displayed on posters, T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc. “‘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 verse or portions of it are very popular. ![]()
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