1 – “ These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon…” “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” (Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7, ESV)
RAF: So how are Christians to live in this present state of exile, when we are still not yet in the New Jerusalem? Live life. Do not retreat. Do not hide. Build houses, plant crops, marry, have kids, and let your kids get married and have kids – and don’t decrease. And we are seek the welfare of the place where we are. To bless the community around us. To pray for the society in which we find ourselves and do not run from it or curse it. For God has appointed that in its welfare, WE will find our own welfare.
