You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jer. 29:13, NIV). What has been your own experience with this promise? What does with all your heart mean?
The Lord knows the beginning from the end. Even while people in Jerusalem were still fighting the Babylonians, still hoping that the words of the false prophets were true, the Lord was using Jeremiah to speak to the future, to speak to those who were already in Babylon and to those who would eventually be there. And what words he spoke!
Read Jeremiah 29:1-14. How is the love and mercy of God revealed in these texts?
Here was a true message of grace, unlike the false message of grace that the people had heard from the prophets who told them that their exile would be over in short order, even just two years. That was not God's plan, and it was not going to happen. Instead, based on the clear teachings of Moses, they had to accept that this was their fate, at least for now; but just as Moses had said, if they repented, they would be restored to the land.
Read Deuteronomy 30:1-4. How do these texts reflect what Jeremiah said to the people? (See also Deut. 4:29.)
The Lord knows the beginning from the end. Even while people in Jerusalem were still fighting the Babylonians, still hoping that the words of the false prophets were true, the Lord was using Jeremiah to speak to the future, to speak to those who were already in Babylon and to those who would eventually be there. And what words he spoke!
Read Jeremiah 29:1-14. How is the love and mercy of God revealed in these texts?
Here was a true message of grace, unlike the false message of grace that the people had heard from the prophets who told them that their exile would be over in short order, even just two years. That was not God's plan, and it was not going to happen. Instead, based on the clear teachings of Moses, they had to accept that this was their fate, at least for now; but just as Moses had said, if they repented, they would be restored to the land.
Read Deuteronomy 30:1-4. How do these texts reflect what Jeremiah said to the people? (See also Deut. 4:29.)
It does seem an important endeavour to find out whether or not there is a God Who created all and gave us life. To experience His love and forgiveness through His Son, Jesus Christ, is a profoundly life changing experience. I sought for years because although I knew there was more to life than meets the eye, I did not want to believe that the God that is, is the God of the Bible. Still, He never gave up on me!