Jer 29:4,5   This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel , says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon : "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.

   

   

This must have been an instruction that would have caused the greatest mind change in people in history! Israel were the people of God. He had drawn them out of Egypt, established them at Mount Sinai, taken them into the Promised Land, given them judges and then kings to lead them, established the Temple in their midst where He could meet with them and in every way had appeared to be utterly there for them. Yes, He had warned them again and again to turn from their idolatry, but they were still the people of God, established in Jerusalem to be a light to the world. Then came the Exile and they were virtually all taken into captivity in Babylon, and Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed. But surely God will return us soon, surely He will have mercy on His special people!

 

Then comes this word: settle down here in Babylon! Build houses? Plant gardens? This is the language of permanence. Is this the end of Israel? No, just a temporary disciplining and in seventy years you will be back (Jer 25:11,12, 29:10). Seventy years? Yes, it will be the next generation! The most important thing here is that although the present looks black, the Lord is working in the long-term and His people will survive and His name will be honoured. It may appear that the enemy is prevailing for the moment, but that is only a temporary thing. Be faithful until He comes again.