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Continually put your trust in God
It is difficult for the carnal - fleshly - mind to understand the relationship between the judgment of God and the love of God. These aspects of the nature of God are too often seen as the opposite ends of one line. Yet, the two are closely woven into the nature of the heavenly father - the creator of the universe. These contrasting concepts seem to have plagued the thoughts of people through the centuries. As the Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Roman church, he addressed this paradox. He explained that only those with a changed heart could ever hope to understand any part of the "divine mystery." Romans 8:5-10. The nation of Judah - the southern kingdom of the chosen nation - had been given many warnings concerning the national sin that had become rampant. The kings had led the people away from the God of their fathers, and had influenced them to serve the pagan gods of the surrounding nations. Judgment would be poured out upon this rebellious people. The northern kingdom - the kingdom of Israel - had already been carried away by their captors. The same fate awaited this rebellious group. The king who would be used to accomplish this judgment would be Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the Babylonians. 2 Chronicles 36:13-21. However, this final destruction had been preceded by two other invasions. The first group of captives that were carried to Babylon included Daniel and his three friends. The second "wave" included the prophet, Ezekiel, and many of the skilled workers. Jeremiah 29:2. There were false prophets who had predicted a "short exile." Jeremiah 28:3. However, this was not the divine plan nor purpose. God vindicates his own. Jeremiah 28:17. There were some prophets among the exiles that had their own "versions" of this same message of error. Jeremiah 29:21. This faithful prophet wanted the readers - and hearers - to understand the source of this message - "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel..." Jeremiah 29:4a. These exiles were to understand that God was the "reason" for their present condition - "whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon." Jeremiah 29:4b. This divine act was necessary for the holiness of God to be recognized by these individuals. Today, it is often difficult for us to recognize the hand of God in our personal "trying experiences." Yet, these, sometimes, come into our lives in order for us to understand that there are "consequences" of personal actions, as well as there being the result of actions of others over which we have no control. Yet, it is important for us to remember that God is aware of all of our situations, and can use this for eternal good. Romans 8:28. The instruction given by the prophet was, "You can enjoy the ride." "Build ye houses, and dwell in them, and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished." Jeremiah 29:5,6. A divine directive was followed by divine assurance. "And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace." Jeremiah 29:7. It is interesting to note that during any kind of difficult time, it is possible to find some "spiritual person" who will tell you "what you want to hear." An extended exile was not the "popular message" among the captives. Jeremiah warned, "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord." Jeremiah 29:8,9. The divine timetable is, again, given to these exiles. "For thus saith the Lord, that after 70 years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place." Jeremiah 29:10. The words of the prophet gave to these exiles an insight into the thoughts of God. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11. Many of these exiles, who read or heard the letter from Jeremiah, would probably not live to see the end of the "70 years" - however, some did witness the laying of the foundation of the new temple. Ezra 3:10-13. The prophet wrote of the attitude and actions of those who would witness the fulfillment of the prophecy. "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:12,13. The promise was important to the people of that time - and continues to be encouraging to people, today. "And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I have caused you to be carried away captive." Jeremiah 29:14.
We need to learn the same lesson of trust that these exiles learned. God still cares.
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