When the word, is a Difficult word.

Jeremiah 29:1-14

Intro Prayer: I have studied, but I need your strength, I have prepared, but I need your power, I’m willing and I want to, but only you can make me able, Silently now I wait for thee, ready my Lord thy will to see, Open mine eyes and illumine me, Spirit Divine.

Introduction: Context (Where are)

1.)

Jeremiah 29 arguably one of the most Sagacious, Unfathomable, Indispensable, pericopes of the canonical bible, shows, in 32 verses, how God not only is a hope for His people, but how God causes and allows His people to walk through unthinkable difficulties, to reveal to them His ultimate purpose.

There is arguably no prophet in the bible, who had it worse than Jeremiah. His message was three-fold in nature, but the theme was the same, repent and turn your hearts back to the God of your fathers, less you suffer the impending doom that is on the way.

We are introduced to this servant during the reign of king Josiah, and because I know there are bible readers at Tamarind it is easy to see how this doesn’t really make too much sense. Josiah was a good king, arguably the best king that Judah had ever seen; He restored worship back in the land, He drove out idols and statues, He made it his assignment to ensure that all praise was given to the sovereign Lord God of Israel, yet it is at this time, that we see Jeremiah. You would think that we see Jeremiah during the reign of kings like Rehoboam, or Ahaziah, or queen Athalia or Ahaz, or Manasseh. And you would think that God would call on the prophet when all things appear bad externally, but isn’t it unique that God would call this prophet, when things appear well externally.

And Perhaps if I can simply pause parenthetically and give my exegetical insight, I would caution somebody who cares more on their outward man, to begin working on the inner-man. It seems as if Jeremiah knew that external restoration meant nothing if the self-work was neglected. In other words, it doesn’t matter what clothes you buy, it doesn’t matter what car you get, it doesn’t matter how many sermons you can preach, or how many notes you can hold; what does your spiritual heart reflect? The Lord in his goodness revealed to Jeremiah that the worship services meant nothing, that the Sabbath service meant nothing, that the program meant nothing if their hearts were not with God; and the problem is we got too many people who are comfortable appearing like good Christians when in reality they’re agents of satan (I knew this sermon wasn’t going to get amens) but it’s alright I’m just gonna stay here until my deacons drag me out; you can post all the scripture you want and not be consecrated to God. You can post all the quotes and not be in a relationship with God; You can put all these facades up, and pretend pretend pretend, while doing no real work to change who you are. Yeah you know all the scriptures but why do you still gossip about the brethren; yeah you know scripture but why do you create rumors and lies that bring down people’s reputation, Jeremiah’s message was simple, turn from your wickedness, and Repent.

Jeremiah is one of the longest books in the old testament not by chapters, but by word count; the man who we coin as the weeping prophet has come to be one of my favorite prophets, Jeremiah had a lot to say to God. In the calling of Jeremiah, God has burdened this young man to preach a word, that not only makes Him a target by his enemies, but because of his message Jeremiah has lost friends. And the tension of Jeremiah is that I want to preach God’s word, but God’s word is forcibly, furthering me more and more from the people whom I love. The tension of Jeremiah, is that while He wants to save His people from what is to come, He realizes that He’s preaching a message that is unpopular, and under-appreciated, and un-wanted. Have you been there before? Can you see Jeremiah now? Jeremiah is the man who we consider crazy on the corner, yelling into the public square that if we do not act according to what God is telling us to do, God will not only allow us to go into exile, but He will cause it. The tension of Jeremiah, is, to paraphrase chapter 20 in my own words; God, I don’t like the sermon you gave me to preach to your people, but whenever I try to shut my mouth, whenever, I try to sit quiet; it’s like fire, shut up in my bones, and it wears me out trying to contain it. Oh to be a prophet for God, what pain it is, to be a mouthpiece for the omnipotent.

Text exegesis:

Jeremiah 29: Begins with an introductory remark, to help us understand the context to which this letter was written in. As a biblical student, there are some things that when I read it I can not help but ask questions. Whenever I read the bible, I realize more and more than I’m asking more questions than receiving answers, but If I can help somebody today; I believe God is more interested in you asking the right questions, than you receiving the right answers. This text requires contextual, and historical deep digging, but because I love you I’ve done the work for you. And if you just give me about 8 minutes I just want to help you read your bible differently and take my seat.

To understand our context, you first need to understand to whom and when this text of literature is written. In an instant we are transported to a city by the name of Babylon; and it only takes one google search to realize that biblical Babylon does not represent God. Babylon we know, begins its antagonistic campaign by a zealous group of individuals trying to build a tower high enough, so that they can not only be seen by God, but revered and idolized in the eyes of Man. God wanted His people to populate the earth and spread far and abroad, but what we learn from the onset in scripture is that Man if not led by God, not only try to be like God, but He tries to become God, stay with me. Babylon represents all that is wrong with humanity; it represents rebellion to the word of God, it represents spiritual fornication and is the cause of the oppression of God’s people. Babylon represent slavery, it represents injustice, it represents moral inadequacy, it represent immoral and un-ethical practices. In contrast to biblical jerusalem which represents peace, prosperity, riches, and abundance, Babylon is the antithesis of God’s image. While Jerusalem is a nation that bears the Lord’s name, Babylon is a nation that curses the Lord almighty; while Jerusalem flows with milk and honey, Babylon drinks the blood of its captives, and leaves them flowing in the streets. While Jerusalem shines and is a star, Babylon presents itself as death and deception. And as you read your bible, you are led to believe because of your own pre-suppositions that Babylon is simply a consequence, but I need somebody to know that Babylon is a choice.

You don’t just fall asleep and wake up in Babylon. You don’t 95 east and end up in Babylon. You don’t just walk for a mile and end up in Babylon, but Babylon is a choice. Babylon is a reflection of the poor choices we make, and our constant posture toward God, and living in Babylon is the consequence of our own self-desire and idol worshipping. The bible opens up in Genesis and man is placed in a garden walking with God, and about a few books later, man is now populating the streets and public squares of Babylon, Babylon is a CHOICE. Babylon is an evil choice; you see God wants us to do what is right. You end up in Babylon when you live wrong. We always like to believe that God is whatever we make him; but God is who God is. And God calls for His people, to live righteous lives. God’s people are in Babylon; the wicked nation. God’s people are around wicked godless people; some of you missed your shout stay there I’ll get you. The bible says that the prophet inspired by God, wrote to them in Babylon; and with all we know about Babylon, we ought to be grateful that God still communicates with us; in Babylon.

The bible tells us around chapter 25 that the Lord pronounces judgement on his people, that for 70 years they’ll live in captivity, for 70 years they’ll be in desolation, 70 years they’ll be oppressed. Chapter 27, the Lord tells Jeremiah to put bonds and yokes on His neck and tells Him to visit the surrounding kings saying, in the same way, I’ve given all of the nations to the king of Babylon. God tells His people be peaceable with the surrounding people, make peace with the nation. In Chapter 28, a prophet (See I’m giving you context) the bible is sweeter with context. Chapter 28 a false prophet by the name of Hananiah begins to spread what seems like hope, and joy, but it was steeped in lies and mal-intent- telling the people that God has broken the yoke of Nebuchadnezzard king Of Babylon, that their captivity would be over in 2 full years. That’s a good word isn’t it; that God holds back on some years, and we get out of our own hell early, that’s a good word! Then Jeremiah prophesies the word of God, telling Hananiah that He’ll died and He did. Then you open chapter 29, the chapter we love so much; and now you see a different tone.

It’s easy to make the Bible say the things you want them to. Word how now spread; the people of God who resided in Babylon hear of this false utterance of Hananiah, and now here comes a letter by Jeremiah. If you know anything about how they treated Jeremiah, this is the last person they want a letter from. When they open the scroll, they already think to themselves oh boy here this boy again; whenever he speaks it’s always a negative. So watch this; some have gotten their hopes up, some were beginning to get excited, some believed that their fortunes were turning, and here comes the prophet who never got any good news! Can you see their face change, when they see who the letter was inscribed by, can you see their reaction when they read the first couple of stanzas, HEY!

Sermonic Breakdown:

1.) v:5-6 (Taking them back to the basics)

God commands his people to build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit; then take wives and beget sons and daughters so that they may increase, populate the earth and not diminish at any point.

This command is similar to how creation unfolded, in the exact same way that it un-folded. In the exact same manner that it unfolded, why would God do this? To take his people back to the basics. The basics or foundation still works because it reinforces us to do the things that God commanded us to do in the first place.

2.) v8-9: (Re-establish faith in the word of God)

- Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dream which you cause to be dreamed.

While in Babylon surely other people would prophesy and lie to illicit false hopes to God’s children, but God was calling them to remember His promise and not depend on their desperation( Your dreams which YOU caused to be dreamed)

3.) v10-14 (There is hope, even in the dark seasons)

God reminds them that 70 years is the punishment time. Not a moment before or a moment after, but 70 years is the chosen time. God wanted his people, just like He wants us today to understand that even in dark moments, there is still great hope. This letter seems like a dreaded reminder of their failure, of their misery, God working through the hand of Jeremiah realizes that His people need something to hold them while they are in bondage. Then God utters, arguably the greatest memory verse to man he says “FOR I KNOW, the thoughts I think toward you, to give you a future and a hope! Watch this; revelation is not God simply revealing a piece of himself, revelation is God coming down to human beings and choosing to make himself fully known. God invites a people who have pursued other gods, and aided in injustice, to the complexities of his mind, invites them into the part of the brain that holds all functions of memory and says, I have thoughts toward you! And while your circumstances may say the opposite, remember my thoughts! I know that life may say the opposite, but remember my thoughts! I know your career may say the opposite, but remember my thoughts! If you ever need to trace God, in season where you can not feel or see God, child of God, I’m telling you today, Remember His Thoughts! Of peace, and not evil. To give you a future and a hope.

I’m done here, but watch this: Here goes your hope for the week. I know some of you are wondering pastor where’s the hope, in verse 10 God says, after seventy years are completed at Babylon, I says the Lord will visit you, and perform, my good word, toward you. Now because some of you know I’m a nerd for the biblical languages, I need you to know that God delivers arguably one of the greatest re-assuring thoughts that we see; in 1 verse. Because I know you study your bible you know that hebrew word is paqad, which means to pay careful attention or to visit with anticipation, you know that when the Lord visits, there’s two probable connotations; if you worship another God says the Lord, He’ll visit the iniquity of the Father upon their children until about the fourth generation, but the phrase beside visit you is a declaration from God saying I will perform My good word toward you! And that connotation for good, goes way back to Genesis 1 in the account of creation; when the Lord says and it was good. And it was good, and it was good. This adjective tobah, it is even sounds good. It’s an adjective that means, morally good, convenient. But not only is it morally good, but it also pricks the senses. In other words, this word is so good, that it doesn’t just sound good, but it tastes good, it feels good, it smells good, it looks good; and brothers and sisters can I let somebody know who’s in a season of darkness, or captivity, if you came here today looking for something to have some faith in, look for the tobah word. Look for the tobah word; look for the tobah word! The Lord says, the last time I visited you; it was judgement; but when I visit you again, it’s gonna be tobah! And is their anybody greatful, that you can now look forward to the good visit of the Lord!