False Prophets and hope for the Exiles

JEREMIAH   CHAPTER 29

Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets and all people who had been exiled to Babylon. He sent the letter with Elasah the son of King Zedekiah's ambassadors. The letter gave the captives a message from the God of Israel who told them to build homes, plant gardens, marry and have children and grandchildren. He told them to multiply and not dwindle away, but to work for the peace and prosperity of Babylon. And pray to the Lord for the city where they were held captive, for if Babylon had peace, so would they.

Further, the Lord told the people to not let the prophets and mediums in Babylon trick them nor believe their dreams. He said the captives would be in Babylon for seventy years then he would bring them home. Those that continued to stay in Jerusalem and were not exiled, he would make war, famine and disease upon them and make them an object of damnation throughout the world. The Lord named two wicked prophets Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekitah son of Maaseiah.

To Shemaiah the Nehelamite in Babylon, the Lord sent him the message that he knew about Shemaiah's open letter to the priests and people of Jerusalem saying that the Lord had appointed him to replace Jehoiada as priest in charge of the Temple. When Zephaniah the priest received Shemaiah's letter, he took it to Jeremiah. Then the Lord said for Jeremiah to send an open letter to all exiles in Babylon telling them that Shemiah the Nehelamite has prophesied when God did not send him and he tricked the people into believing his lies. The Lord said he would punish Shemaiah and his family.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Imagine a prophet who tells the captives to build homes and multiply in captivity. As if they could forget the despair of living under King Nebuchanezzar's rule. Why the people hated Jeremiah for telling them to find peace and prosperity in this foreign place. Wouldn't you be disillusioned? It would indeed be hard to find the gumption to make the best of things.

But according to God's plan, he was going to bring his people back to Jerusalem. So he needed them to stay alive and be strong so that they would see the day of liberation. The exiles need not have despaired, because they had God's presence, prayer and grace.

In our world today, no persecution nor strange land can break our fellowship with our God. Holocaust survivors and war prisoners have learned this. The exiles had to learn this. Through prayer and keeping the faith they and us today, can seek God and find him.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:


HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.

Pray for Gary and Steve my insurance men who have prostate cancer.

Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.

Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.

Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with a form of MS.

Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.

Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.

Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who has been undergoing chemo. Pray also for Charly who longs to be 100 percent again and walk without an aid.

Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.

SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary

RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John

LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian

SUPPORT: Pray for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom. Pray for our famers and those who raise livestock during this terrible drought.