Jeremiah 29 “How to Endure Hardship and Disaster”

Suggested Praise Songs:                                                            

• “Take Courage” – Bethel Music (Kristene DiMarco)
• “Oceans” – Hillsong UNITED
• “Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)” – Hillsong UNITED

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• God Has a Plan for Me – Lesson for Kids
• Suggested Praise Songs for Kids
  • “Every Move I Make” – CJ and Friends
  • “God is Always Good” – Lifetree Kids
  • “I Am Not Forgotten” – Lifetree Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

Babylon attacked Judah and Jerusalem in 605 and 597 BCE, taking many people into exile. In 587 BCE, they invaded again, besieging Jerusalem for about 30 months until the city completely fell. At that time, the Babylonian army plundered the treasures remaining in the royal palace and the Temple, and they took the upper-class citizens of Judah captive. Among them were King Jehoiachin, along with many priests and prophets. The prophets who were taken into exile proclaimed that Babylon would collapse within two years and that all Jews would return to their homeland. Because of that prophecy, the exiles did not even unpack their belongings, waiting only for the day of return.

At that time, Jeremiah wrote a letter to the exiles in Babylon to deliver the word of God (vv. 1–3). The Lord commanded the exiled people of Judah to do two things. First, settle in Babylon: build houses, cultivate the land, marry, and multiply (vv. 4–6). Second, pray for the peace of the city where they were living (v. 7). They were told not to believe the prophets who said the exile would be short (vv. 8–9).

The Lord said that they would live in Babylon for seventy years. After that, He would bring them back to their homeland (v. 10). The Lord was planning “prosperity and not disaster” for them (v. 11). Therefore, they were to live faithfully where they were, calling on the Lord and praying to Him. Then the Lord would answer them and eventually bring them back (vv. 12–14).

When the exiled people heard Jeremiah’s letter, they resisted it, saying, “We have prophets here as well” (v. 15). So, the Lord gave Jeremiah a word concerning the king and the people who remained in Judah (v. 17). The exiles believed that those who remained in Judah were the fortunate ones. But the Lord said that harsh judgment would come upon those who remained (v. 18) because they did not listen to the words of the prophets He sent (v. 19).

The Lord urged the exiles to listen carefully to His word (v. 20). He declared that the false prophets among them would face disaster (v. 21). Among those false prophets, Ahab and Zedekiah (not the kings with those names, but men with the same names) were especially influential. The Lord said that not only Ahab and Zedekiah but all who prophesy lies would face terrible judgment (vv. 22–23).

After this letter, one of the exiled prophets, Shemaiah, wrote to the leaders who remained in Jerusalem, criticizing Jeremiah (vv. 24–25). He questioned why Zephaniah the priest had not arrested Jeremiah, even though he had arrested other false prophets (vv. 26–28). When Zephaniah read Shemaiah’s letter to Jeremiah, the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, declaring that Shemaiah would be punished by being left without descendants due to his false prophecy. Jeremiah wrote this prophecy in a letter and sent it to the exiles (vv. 29–32).

Meditation:

To the Jewish exiles in Babylon, Jeremiah’s prophecy must have sounded devastating. The Jews avoided even touching Gentiles, so being forced to live in a foreign land felt unbearable. Thus, they wanted to believe the false prophets. They held onto that false hope and waited, without unpacking, for the day they would return home. But Jeremiah prophesied that they would live there for seventy years. That meant that those who were taken away would live out their entire lives and die in that foreign land. This was a fate too painful to accept. So, they hung their harps on the trees by the rivers of Babylon and wept as they looked toward Jerusalem (Psalm 137).

Yet through Jeremiah, the Lord said, “The plans I have for you are plans for your welfare, not for disaster” (v. 11). What seemed like disaster was in fact God’s plan to bring them to a better future. So, the Lord told them to settle down, build houses, and grow. He also told them to pray for the foreign nation they now lived among. In this way, they were to wait for God’s appointed time. That time might not come within their own lifetimes. But God would keep His promise in the end. When that time came, they would realize that what once seemed like a tragedy was actually grace in disguise.

Looking back on our own lives, we can recall times when something felt like misfortune at first but later revealed itself to be a blessing—and sometimes the opposite. There are many times when our thoughts are not the same as God’s plans. Thus, if we truly trust God’s goodness toward us, we will not be easily shaken by what happens to us. This is why the Apostle Paul said, “Those who weep, as though not weeping; those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing; those who buy, as though they did not possess; those who deal with the world, as though not absorbed by it” (1 Corinthians 7:30–31). It does not mean to eliminate our emotions, but to look upon God’s greater plan and live with contentment and gratitude in all circumstances.

Prayer:

Lord, our view of life and the world is so limited. We cannot see even a step ahead, so we are easily shaken by every situation that comes our way. We fail to see Your sovereignty and providence and cling only to what our eyes can see. Help us remember that Your plans for us are for our good and not for disaster. Keep our hearts steady and unwavering, that we may walk forward with trust in You. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Even when our situation feels confusing or hard, God has good plans for us. We can trust Him and live faithfully where we are, while waiting for His timing.

• For Preschool-Elementary:
  • What do you do when you feel sad or disappointed?
  • Why do you think God wanted the people to pray for the place they were living, even though they didn’t like it?
  • What is one small way you can trust God today? (Example: praying before bed, being kind, helping someone)
    
• Youth:
  • Have you ever been in a situation you didn’t want to be in (school, a team, friendship changes)? How did it feel? (Students can answer anonymously by writing first.)
  • Why is it sometimes easier to believe “quick escape” solutions rather than God’s long-term plan?
  • What does it mean to “be faithful where you are” — even when life isn’t what you hoped? (Examples: staying kind, keeping prayer habits, doing your best at school.)