Peculiar Exiles

By Gwendolyn Lane

I have recently finished reading the prophet Jeremiah. As I am reading through the Bible this year, I am using The Bible Recap that is written by Terra Leigh Cobble. I am learning to look more deeply into passages of scripture that I have overlooked before. I am learning more about the heart and character of God as I study.

Jeremiah 29 has really spoken to me since reading it a couple of weeks ago. In this part of Jeremiah’s prophecy, he is reading a letter to the Exiles from their Father, God. The Exiles in Babylon have been listening to false prophets that are telling them that their banishment from the Promised Land will not last nearly as long as Jeremiah had prophesied. God, however, is warning them about returning too early. He tells them that those who return before the assigned time along with those who never left will suffer greatly. The Exiles will be protected while in Babylon and God will be with them. The letter goes on to encourage the Exiles to “bloom where they are planted.” Make homes, grow crops, have children, work and pray for the prosperity of the people who they are living amongst. As they prosper so will the Exiles. He promises that he has a plan and if they will repent with their whole hearts and turn to him, he will fulfill his plan in the most beautiful way. Not only restoring them to The Promised Land but blessing them beyond anything they can imagine. They will be able to rebuild the temple and experience the very presence of God in their midst. He is telling them to live with hope because they have a future.

This was a peculiar message to the Exiles because living amongst the Babylonians would not have felt like home. They were surrounded by people worshipping multiple gods and speaking different languages. Exile or banishment was often used by conquering nations as a way to keep conquered people down. However, God is telling his people that HE is the one responsible for their exile and HE has a plan and a specific timing for their return. They need only put that trust and hope in him alone.

We, too, are exiles living in a foreign land. We are not supposed to feel at home or too comfortable here. However, the heart of God is still the same for us that it was for the Israelite exiles. He has a plan for us. He wants to give us hope and a future far beyond our wildest dreams. All he asks of us is our heart. A heart that longs only for him. A heart that worships him and him alone. A heart that desires to be with him and to be like him. We are not alone in our exile. God is with us, protecting and providing for us. Oh what a peculiar and amazing God we serve.