Acceptance of Circumstances
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Acceptance of Circumstances
Acceptance of Circumstances
4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
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4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; 5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; 6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Opening
You hate your present circumstances
You want to go back to the way it used to be
Yu
You can even fathom existing like this much longer
Maybe lets look at where we are and understand God put us here
Sickness
Financial Strain
Background -
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel 1) Warning against False Prophets (29:4–9)
Underlying the main letter is the assumption that, though he had deported the exiles, Nebuchadnezzar was only the agent of the Lord. Ultimately the Lord himself had brought about the Exile (v.4). Since the Lord’s will was behind it, for Judah the part of wisdom was submission. Verses 5–7 are so remarkable for their advice to the exiles that they are without parallel in the literature of antiquity (esp. v.7). The exiles were to settle in Babylon and live normal lives there, even praying for their captors (cf. Matt 5:43). They would have considerable freedom in their exile. Instead of expecting an early return to their homeland, they were to settle down in Babylon and even to work and pray for its peace and prosperity. Otherwise, their influence would be negligible and their exile all the more galling. What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen! History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern. They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land. Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one. His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time.
Background -
It was God that had deported the exiles, Nebuchadnezzar was only the agent of the Lord.
Lord himself had brought about the Exile (v.4).
God had warned the them for centuries by prophets that they were to turn away from heathen practices and come back to the Lord!
15 And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against his people, till there was no remedy.
Since the Lord’s will was behind it, for Judah the part of wisdom was submission.
Verses 5–7 are so remarkable for their advice to the exiles!
God put you there!
The exiles were to settle in Babylon and live normal lives there, even praying for their captors (cf. ).
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
They would have considerable freedom in their exile.
Instead of expecting an early return to their homeland, they were to settle down in Babylon and even to work and pray for its peace and prosperity.
What is Sovereignty?Sovereignty can be defined as having supreme authority, control, and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future in all times across all history.
What is Sovereignty?Sovereignty can be defined as having supreme authority, control, and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future in all times across all history.
3 But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Sovereignty can be defined as having supreme authority, control, and power over all that has happened, is happening, and will happen in the future in all times across all history.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Otherwise, their influence would be negligible and their exile all the more galling. What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen! History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern. They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land. Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one. His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time.
They would have considerable freedom in their exile. Instead of expecting an early return to their homeland, they were to settle down in Babylon and even to work and pray for its peace and prosperity. Otherwise, their influence would be negligible and their exile all the more galling. What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen! History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern. They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land. Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one. His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time.
Otherwise, their influence would be negligible and their exile all the more galling. What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen! History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern. They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land. Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one. His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time.
I Accept Your Position vs 4
I Accept Your Position vs 4
4 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;
I have caused you to be put in Babylon!
The first thing you have to do is focus on God instead of your situation
Biblical joy is the knowledge that God is in control of your circumstances and allows only that which is good for you into your life (). That's why James says to consider it joy when a trial comes your way (). It's not that the trial brings joy; it's what God is doing for us through the trial;
That should move you to then focus on others.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
And it's not just that God wants you to serve others in the midst of your trouble. It's that He knows our weakness. Our tendency will be to focus on ourselves and spiral down into despair. But if we focus on others, we'll be distracted and not have time to spiral down. More than that, we'll derive a certain joy in serving others before the Lord.
We have to give our trouble to God through prayer.
hedge of protection from compromising thoughts and discouragement
You've moved your focus from your troubles to God and others. Paul says now to make sure you keep doing that. Keep doing the things God has told you to do
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
II Act as a Resident vs 5-6
II Act as a Resident vs 5-6
II Act as a Resident
if God placed you in the neighborhood don’t get bitter or move.
5 Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
6 Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Accept your position and move in and plant roots!
Jeremiah told the Jews don't stress out and always be on the move God will deliver you in his time.
Settle in and accept God’s sovereignty
Verses 5–7 are so remarkable for their advice to the exiles that they are without parallel in the literature of antiquity (esp. v.7).
The exiles were to settle in Babylon and live normal lives there, even praying for their captors (cf. ).
They would have considerable freedom in their exile. Instead of expecting an early return to their homeland, they were to settle down in Babylon and even to work and pray for its peace and prosperity
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel 1) Warning against False Prophets (29:4–9)
Otherwise, their influence would be negligible and their exile all the more galling. What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen! History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern. They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land. Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one. His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time. The freedom allowed them implies they were neither slaves nor prisoners in their new land. Any feeling that they should not build homes in a foreign, unclean land was thus dispelled
“plant gardens” and “eat what they produce”
(v. 5), “marry” and have families
(v. 6), “seek the peace and prosperity of the city” (v. 7).
If they did not - their influence would be negligible and their exile would be futile
What unusual advice for Jeremiah to give his exiled countrymen!
History shows that in all the centuries of their world-wide dispersion, the Jews have tried to follow this pattern.
They have identified themselves with the country of their residence, while at the same time looking toward eventual restoration to their native land.
Jeremiah’s exhortations show that the Babylonian stay would be an extended one.
His advice to build homes there (v.5) implies they had not yet been in Babylon a long time.
The freedom allowed them implies they were neither slaves nor prisoners in their new land. Any feeling that they should not build homes in a foreign, unclean land was thus dispelled
Stop trying to move to the next best thing! be a blessing to someone now where you are.
Illustration
During the 80-200’s many in the Christian Community move into bunkers and live a strangers in this world. It was during this time that the influence of Christianity waned at an accelerated pace. Many did not want to accept their plight so lets just hunker down.
Your job
Your neightborhood
Your community
settle in and be a blessing
Israel was to be a blessing to all people
18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
How can we be a blessing if we flee God’s perfect placement.
Stop running from your circumstances and be a blessing to others
III Ask for Peace vs 7
III Ask for Peace vs 7
7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Holy huddle, Christian clique, the faithful fellowship. Sometimes Christians have a tendency to separate ourselves from the rest of the world.
What seek the welfare of the heathen
They killed my family
They worship heathen Gods
Lets me ask you this if you abandon ship every time you run into trouble how will you ever share Christ?
some people are so self centered that they never can be blessing.
Its a one way street - no impact on their community
We move to NJ
Bad job
should have
What am I asking you to Know?
Accept God’s placement