Jeremiah's prophecies should have had a double effect on the thinking of the captives: on the one hand they should not believe what the false prophets were saying, and on the other hand they should not be dispirited. He asked his captive countrymen to pray for Babylon. This request might have surprised those who had been deported. What Jeremiah was asking from the captives was unheard of in the earlier history of Israel. It had been absolutely unknown to pray for an enemy who had done what the Babylonians had done to them, God's chosen nation. The prophet broke all their understandings regarding the temple and Jerusalem; they could pray in a pagan country, and the Everlasting God would listen to them.
Notice, too, what Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 29:7: that the prosperity of their host nation will mean their prosperity, too. As aliens and strangers in the land, they were especially vulnerable if things went badly in the nation in general. All through history, we have seen sad examples of intolerance becoming especially bad when a nation faces hard times; people look for scapegoats, those whom they can blame, and minorities, or aliens, often become easy targets. It is an unfortunate reality.
What wonderful hope is given to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:10? (See also Jer. 25:11-12; 2 Chron. 36:21; Dan. 9:2.)
Everything the Lord had said would happen had happened, so, they had every reason to trust that He would fulfill this prophecy as well (Jer. 29:10). Why 70 years would be the exact time of their exile we don't know, though it clearly is linked to the idea of Sabbath rest for the land (see Lev. 25:4, 26:34, 43). What's so important about this prophecy is that, if they had taken in faith and submission, it would have given the captives great hope and assurance of the Lord's complete sovereignty.
Despite appearances, despite the terrible calamity that befell them, they could know that all was not lost, and the Lord had not left them. They were still the covenant people, and the Lord wasn't through with them or the nation of Israel. Redemption was available there for all of those ready to meet the conditions.
What prophecies give you great hope for the future? Which ones strengthen your faith and help you learn to trust the Lord for whatever will come?
Notice, too, what Jeremiah says in Jeremiah 29:7: that the prosperity of their host nation will mean their prosperity, too. As aliens and strangers in the land, they were especially vulnerable if things went badly in the nation in general. All through history, we have seen sad examples of intolerance becoming especially bad when a nation faces hard times; people look for scapegoats, those whom they can blame, and minorities, or aliens, often become easy targets. It is an unfortunate reality.
What wonderful hope is given to the exiles in Jeremiah 29:10? (See also Jer. 25:11-12; 2 Chron. 36:21; Dan. 9:2.)
Everything the Lord had said would happen had happened, so, they had every reason to trust that He would fulfill this prophecy as well (Jer. 29:10). Why 70 years would be the exact time of their exile we don't know, though it clearly is linked to the idea of Sabbath rest for the land (see Lev. 25:4, 26:34, 43). What's so important about this prophecy is that, if they had taken in faith and submission, it would have given the captives great hope and assurance of the Lord's complete sovereignty.
Despite appearances, despite the terrible calamity that befell them, they could know that all was not lost, and the Lord had not left them. They were still the covenant people, and the Lord wasn't through with them or the nation of Israel. Redemption was available there for all of those ready to meet the conditions.
What prophecies give you great hope for the future? Which ones strengthen your faith and help you learn to trust the Lord for whatever will come?
Jesus Is Coming Soon
Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore, free from all care
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Oh, Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Love of so many cold
Losing their home of gold
This in God's word is told
Evils abound
When these signs come to pass
Nearing the end at last
It will come very fast
Trumpets will sound
Jesus is coming soon
Morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom
Trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise
Righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies
Heavenward bound
Going where no one dies
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Read more: Oak Ridge Boys - Jesus Is Coming Soon Lyrics | MetroLyrics
Troublesome times are here, filling men's hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o'er, happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore, free from all care
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Oh, Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Love of so many cold
Losing their home of gold
This in God's word is told
Evils abound
When these signs come to pass
Nearing the end at last
It will come very fast
Trumpets will sound
Jesus is coming soon
Morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom
Trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise
Righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies
Heavenward bound
Going where no one dies
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Heavenward bound
Read more: Oak Ridge Boys - Jesus Is Coming Soon Lyrics | MetroLyrics
