Seeking the Welfare of the City
29 These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:1-9
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Seeking the Welfare of the City
Jeremiah’s letter came to people who were far from home. The exiles in Babylon longed for a quick return, but the Lord told them to settle down, build homes, raise families, and seek the welfare of the city where they lived. Though they were strangers in a foreign land, God had not abandoned them. He remained faithful to His promises even while His people endured the consequences of their sin. Christians today also live as exiles in a world that is not our true home. We are called to pray for our communities, serve our neighbors, and faithfully carry out our vocations. Yet our hope is not found in earthly prosperity or in those who promise easy answers. Our hope rests in Christ crucified. On the cross, He bore our sins and reconciled us to God. Through His death and resurrection, He secured our eternal homeland. Until that day, we live in faith, trusting His promises and seeking the good of those around us.
Jeremiah 29:1-9
+
Seeking the Welfare of the City
Jeremiah’s letter came to people who were far from home. The exiles in Babylon longed for a quick return, but the Lord told them to settle down, build homes, raise families, and seek the welfare of the city where they lived. Though they were strangers in a foreign land, God had not abandoned them. He remained faithful to His promises even while His people endured the consequences of their sin. Christians today also live as exiles in a world that is not our true home. We are called to pray for our communities, serve our neighbors, and faithfully carry out our vocations. Yet our hope is not found in earthly prosperity or in those who promise easy answers. Our hope rests in Christ crucified. On the cross, He bore our sins and reconciled us to God. Through His death and resurrection, He secured our eternal homeland. Until that day, we live in faith, trusting His promises and seeking the good of those around us.
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