4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. (NIV)
We sometimes think that if only we changed jobs, changed churches, changed residences, changed friendships that all would improve. And we admit that sometimes changes are necessary and beneficial. But not always.
Jeremiah writes to the people of God exiled in Babylon. They naturally wanted to go back home to Jerusalem. Some compliant prophets were apparently holding out that prospect before them. It was a lie. They were in Babylon for some time yet. And so they are encouraged to make it home, to even pray for blessing on that alien place.
For those of us who think there is much greener grass somewhere else, it is a sobering reminder that there are many times when God tells us to stay put in our less-than-ideal circumstances. There may come an end to those circumstances, just as there was an end to the Babylonian exile. But we can’t force that end or rush that end.
Instead of anxiously and restlessly hoping things will change, it may be best for us to bloom just where we are planted. By shifting our attention to some other place, we may lose sight of what God has in store for us in our present place. The treasure we seek may be buried right beneath our feet.
Blessings
David Reay
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