Preparing the Remnant; Jer. 29:10-11

Delivered during the Sunday Morning Worship Service, 12/31/2023. In the midst of the tragedy of the Babylonian exile, brought on by centuries of rebellion against God; Jeremiah writes a letter to the Israelites who have already been deported to Babylon. He encourages them to settle-in for a 70-year exile and to ignore false prophets who were saying otherwise. After this somber reality, he encourages them that God in His sovereignty has a plan for His people that transcends the years of judgment. And therefore they should work hard to live as God's covenantal people. We will study the historical and biblical context of both the exile and the letter and thereby determine what God was really saying through Jeremiah. Verse 11 is among the most oft-quoted verses in the Bible, but unfortunately also one of the most abused, because it is generally taken out of this context. So we will seek Jeremiah's true meaning and learn surprisingly that what he is urging his countrymen to do is prepare a remnant to return to Jerusalem and fulfill God's purpose and blessing.