Jeremiah 29:1-20

 “The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon. It was addressed to the elders who were left among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the other people who were exiled in Babylon. He sent it after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had been exiled from Jerusalem. He sent it with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah. King Zedekiah of Judah had sent these men to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter said: “The Lord God of Israel who rules over all says to all those he sent into exile to Babylon from Jerusalem, ‘Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and allow your daughters get married so that they too can have sons and daughters. Grow in number; do not dwindle away. Work to see that the city where I sent you as exiles enjoys peace and prosperity. Pray to the Lord for it. For as it prospers you will prosper.’ “For the Lord God of Israel who rules over all says, ‘Do not let the prophets or those among you who claim to be able to predict the future by divination deceive you. And do not pay any attention to the dreams that you are encouraging them to dream. They are prophesying lies to you and claiming my authority to do so. But I did not send them. I, the Lord, affirm it!’ “For the Lord says, ‘Only when the seventy years of Babylonian rule are over will I again take up consideration for you. Then I will fulfill my gracious promise to you and restore you to your homeland. For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will reverse your plight and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’ “You say, ‘The Lord has raised up prophets of good news for us here in Babylon.’ But just listen to what the Lord has to say about the king who occupies David’s throne and all your fellow countrymen who are still living in this city of Jerusalem and were not carried off into exile with you. The Lord who rules over all says, ‘I will bring war, starvation, and disease on them. I will treat them like figs that are so rotten they cannot be eaten. I will chase after them with war, starvation, and disease. I will make all the kingdoms of the earth horrified at what happens to them. I will make them examples of those who are cursed, objects of horror, hissing scorn, and ridicule among all the nations where I exile them. For they have not paid attention to what I said to them through my servants the prophets whom I sent to them over and over again,’ says the Lord. ‘And you exiles have not paid any attention to them either,’ says the Lord. ‘So pay attention to what I, the Lord, have said, all you exiles whom I have sent to Babylon from Jerusalem.’”

— ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭1‬-‭20‬‬

I know this is a long passage. But when I see the verse of the day as 29:11, I think to myself, “Ok, I’ll just post a few surrounding verses for context.” But then the verse beyond that was important, and the verse before that introduced the speech. Then historical background was given. And even now, vv. 21 and on give response to Jeremiah’s letter, so we need to continue reading. 

29:11 may be the top of my least liked verses taken out of context. I’ve written before about God’s generosity, kindness, goodness, mercy. That’s not the issue. Of course, He longs to bless. He is love. But for teachers/pastors/mentors to use passages like this to “promise” blessing is just around the corner is so dangerous. What if it never comes? 

And for high school students? They have a life of blessing ahead? Really? What if it’s not? What a great way to shatter faith, basing hope in a horribly applied verse.

The beauty of this verse is that YHWH is speaking to His people, again whether before or in exile—debatable. But false prophets are giving promises that it will be a short time and they can go home soon. God says, “Not so fast. We have a covenant. I had mercy for a long time, and I am actually being faithful to the covenant by sending you in exile. You will be here 70 years. Get comfortable. Plant vineyards. Build houses. Get to know your neighbors.”

He even tells them to pray for the prosperity of Babylon, because Babylon’s greatness will benefit them.

After this time of discipline, He will return them to their homeland. The relationship between God’s sovereign plan and their repentance (v. 12) is the same discussion as we always love to discuss (me, not so much). But God would allow them to return under Cyrus of Persia in 538 BC. 

We can study the three stages of exile, and each one was more brutal than the last, and there were three returns to the land of Israel after Persia conquered Babylon. Still, not many Jews returned home. This time of exile drastically affected their emotional and spiritual state/relationship with YHWH. They did grow comfortable in Babylon and around the near east. 

Does this verse have any value to us then? Does God have plans for us? Yes. Are they to prosper us? I don’t know. We have to insert this exile story into the larger narrative of Jesus as Messiah. His ministry, death, resurrection conquers all evil and pain. In Him we find all peace and rest. I hesitate to jump to 1 Peter where we are called foreigners and exiles still. Some may. But it may be the best route to say in Jesus we find the fulfillment of God’s covenant, plans of redemption and ultimate restoration.

For another perspective, see Russell Moore: https://www.russellmoore.com/2017/06/28/jeremiah-2911-apply/

Another issue that comes up (practically speaking) in this passage is the relationship between “exiles” and the nation where they live. Again, 1 Peter is the go to “bridge” passage between Jeremiah and the present, but I would need to do more research on the ethnicity of Peter’s audience. If they are primarily Jewish, then the term exile (i.e., the Diaspora, similar to James’ letter) would apply naturally. It could still reach to us by extension.

The issue is how we as Christians are supposed to relate to our geo-political realm. The term Christian nationalism has been thrown around a lot lately, and there’s a whole spectrum of definitions. People have built their whole writing and research platform on it, but before any conversation begins, you have to define terms. I’m not really going to discuss it here so I’m not going to dive in to the issue fully. I can reach my point without getting too deep into it.

Of course, Paul and Peter say to pray for ruling authorities and government. That reflects what Jeremiah says here, and the NT commands seem to apply regardless of the exile context. So do we seek the prosperity and blessing of our nation? Do we pray God’s hand of healing and restoration, since we have become the exiles? Perhaps. I suppose. Many would use Jeremiah 29 as support for this mindset.

I would use it in the opposite sense. Not that we shouldn’t pray for government. Not that we should hate our nation. But do we forget that the Jewish exiles lived—in Babylon. Centuries before, the northern tribes were captured by Assyria—you know, all those sermons you hear about ruthless Ninevites. Then Greece, Persia, and Rome? Rulers like Nero, Caligula, Domitian. We want them to prosper—and the motivation of the passage—so we benefit, too?

This is why I focus more on the global church in passages like this. What if I were a Christian (probably facing severe persecution) in a country that wasn’t too friendly with America? Would I be able to pray for its prosperity? 

Or would I focus on the kingdom of God and allow a passage to live in its context? Certainly applicable to me, but can be illogical and dangerous if I don’t have a broad enough view.

4th of July

Let me be frank and upfront in case the main point gets lost in the paragraphs below: I am so incredibly thankful to be living in America, and I have tremendous memories of celebrating our freedom as a teenager and young adult. I've been surrounded (and related to) veterans and first responders, including within churches I am a member of and at jobs I have held, and I always do my best to thank each one personally. Their daily sacrifice is more than I can imagine. 

I have had discussions with those who live elsewhere in the world, and there are definitely some attractive conclusions I hear about cultures and locations. I dream of traveling more as finances become steadier and schedule allows, but I have always been content and grateful for my upbringing.

However, being grateful for America does not compare to my love and loyalty to Jesus. There is no comparison.

This is not a post about church and state, or America's issues (or blessings). This is not an argument for how to repair any social issue, or how to improve the church's witness. That may just take several years (with some new directional choices depending on which church and which direction has been chosen recently).

I am simply addressing one issue that may provide insight into how the church views the state, because the past several years have forced me to reconsider this. I never thought much about going to church and hearing the four or five patriotic hymns, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, hearing a sermon about how awful America (or her churches) are, waving flags around, or having prayer circles for grand revival. And some or all of that may or may not be familiar with you (or some or all of that may be repulsive to you).

But I don't want to argue about flags in church. Or saying the Pledge. If we start by yelling about order of service or decorations, we talk in circles, and nothing is accomplished. The waters get muddy. 

I like to debate sometimes, but yelling and frustration just gets old after a while. And heated passion on a topic like this is understandable. Conclusions are assumed to be indicative of one's level of patriotism. But if we've learned anything the past several years, it's that no issue is clear cut. There's background, context, and multiple layers to each conversation.

So to cut through all of that, I only have one question. One fundamental question to consider before we decide how to arrange services on July 4 (or any other patriotic holiday):

What is the purpose of gathering together in the first place?

Why do we come together on Sunday? I would hope it's something like to worship the one true God, to proclaim the gospel (and not just for the unbelievers who may come but also to refresh His followers), to edify the discouraged, to equip saints for further ministry, to express dependence on God in prayer and song, to fellowship with believers and share experiences together in unity---all this to the glory of God.

Something like that.

Have you seen or experienced an extravagant service about "God and Country" or "God Bless America"? If not, try First Baptist Dallas. I'll let you reach a personal conclusion on how much of the previous paragraph is occurring within that service.

"But Kevin, it's just one week. Besides, we're told to pray for civil leaders." Ok, we can pray for leaders. Of course--by all means--any role of leadership deserves prayer. But praying for leaders seems to imply a heart of prayer lives inside the pastor, the elders, the congregants. In my experience, it's really easy for someone to royally bash anyone in government they despise and then fulfill 1 Timothy 2 and Romans 13 in a two-minute prayer on July 4 (begging for revival). 

So a full service devoted to these things? Probably not necessary. Focus drifts from what is essential on the life of the believer, and the emphasis is placed on the secular. The things below. The kingdom(s) of this world.

One biblical passage that could support a service like this would be Jeremiah 29 (oh, don’t say v. 11). The people of Israel are getting antsy in exile and false prophets are telling them they are going home soon. Jeremiah has other ideas (from YHWH). He says to plant vineyards, build houses, and get comfortable, because it’s going to be a while. Then v. 7 says to seek the peace and prosperity of Babylon. Pray for it, because if it prospers, Israel will prosper. 

I can get inside the heads of many, many preachers who want to see the church in exile (true, from 1 Peter), but their attitude towards America is rarely the same attitude that Israel had toward Babylon. The church is not ethnic Israel (obviously), the church is not America, and Israel is not America. If America prospers does the church prosper? Maybe, maybe not. If America suffers, does the church suffer? Maybe, maybe not. Here’s the main point—the church does not depend on America’s wellbeing. There’s a whole world beyond our borders where the name and kingdom of Jesus is expanding.

So here's the litmus test that I have found so helpful. I’ve read several articles and social media posts on the issue, and one thought always shines bright (and it applies to any day, but especially on these special occasions). 

Could our worship service be transported to another culture? 

Or perhaps more likely, what if someone from another culture/country were sitting in our service? Would they still be able to sing, listen, and respond?

Of course, there will always be barriers of culture and language. We cannot translate every idiom or preference for everyone who may cross our path. But if a refugee finds solace within the doors of my church, and I spend an entire hour singing about my country, praying for God to bless her, and teaching my people how to improve her status in the world, he/she may be confused. How is that message applicable? How does it edify him? I cannot expect her to pray for my home country. 

The church is universal. The gospel is for all peoples, and that is what binds us together. I have more in common with a brother or sister around the world in a completely different culture than a completely atheist neighbor across the street. 

If I plan a worship service, it must reflect this global bond.

Again, this is really not a post about the Pledge of Allegiance or the existence of flags in service or praying for America or tribute videos. But if you’ve ever felt that tension while sitting in a service about America, thoughts wandering through your head, “Does this count as worship? What are we worshipping here?”—then maybe the worship service has ended and something much more secular has begun (though well-intended).

I agree with others who have articulated much better and with far better reasoning/support that patriotic celebrations are appropriate and may even be necessary at times. (Some groups of individuals may even disagree with that statement, and I would be open to their concerns and having open dialogue. Though we may disagree, I understand hurts and grievances run deep.) But the time for these celebrations is not a specific block of time that we mortals have devoted to worshipping the Almighty. 

One could argue that our lives are worship, "all days are sacred now" according to Paul. So who gets to decide which block of time is more important than any other. It's a double-sided argument, I suppose. Either we appreciate blocks of time to gather as an assembled body (locally) for worship, edification, and ministry with our gifts (not to the neglect of doing these elsewhere throughout the week) and focus our attention on the God alone, or we devote our entire lives to Him, implying nothing sacred may ever stir our hearts or exit our mouths (I'm speaking of devotion to another cause, team, idea, goal, or yes, country). It's a tense conversation to have, but worthy of the deepest thoughts and considerations.

The last several years only surfaced some deep misplaced loyalties among churchgoers. Perhaps returning to a singular focus in our worship times will weed out some of this division, polarity, animosity, and disunity. Imagine that. Focusing on Jesus may remind us of what we have in common--even with believers around the world. 

Isaiah 26:1-6

 “At that time this song will be sung in the land of Judah: “We have a strong city! The Lord’s deliverance, like walls and a rampart, makes it secure. Open the gates so a righteous nation can enter – one that remains trustworthy. You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you. Trust in the Lord from this time forward, even in Yah, the Lord, an enduring protector! Indeed, the Lord knocks down those who live in a high place, he brings down an elevated town; he brings it down to the ground, he throws it down to the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the feet of the oppressed, by the soles of the poor.””

— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭1‬-‭6‬‬

Oh my goodness, I’m really hoping it’s coincidence that v. 2 is verse of day on Election Day. Please no!

Besides demanding word studies on maintaining faith and trusting in YHWH, the surrounding context makes it quite clear what this is about. The “righteous nation” is Israel (again depending on what you think about the timing of Isaiah authorship), but from the perspective of exile. People will return to the land and God will protect them.

Will it really be full, absolute, eternal protection? Well, no, because they get destroyed multiple times again. 

NET mentions maintaining faith something about having a firm mind that God will keep covenant. 

God does bring down the haughty. At first this was Israel’s enemies. Eventually, this will be Israel again (ad 70) Just don’t generalize this to say God elevates any geographically defined nation that “worships” Him (what does that even mean—a majority of citizens? A legal code? That’s scary) First, it’s not true. Second, we are humans and disagree on what that means and it leads to fighting.

2 Chronicles 7:11-18

 “if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

— ‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬‬

Lengthy but necessary exercise: Read all of Chapter 6 and 7 to this point for full context. YHWH reuses Solomon’s language about plagues, war, natural disasters, etc which would come because of Israel’s disobedience. (This is all based, of course, on the Mosaic Covenant at the end of Deuteronomy). Solomon begged God to honor their building “of this house” and when they prayed/repented at/toward “this house” that should be enough for healing of the land and restoration of blessing. Here, God says, “Deal, except it’s not really about the house, though I appreciate your building it (cause I deserve it). It’s really just the heart of the people.” 

NOT ABOUT AMERICA

If we really wanted to apply it, “my people” would have to be “church.” (Or still Israel proper). Repentance. Pray. Problem is church doesn’t have a land. Church is global. We ARE living in exile, so some try to see correlation with phrasing in 1 Peter, etc. But there is no corporate solidarity between believers and the nations they inhabit. Kingdom is not from this world, though one day it will break into this world finally and fully. I can’t attack God’s faithfulness for not bringing blessing/prosperity to any nation regardless of its citizens’ ethics because they do not have the covenant that Israel did. Nor do I want church to “reign” and enforce legal code. Repentance. Spread news of Messiah. Discipleship.