You have heard it quoted many times and so have I. It is a wonderful statement and promise that Christians often share with others who are in the midst of difficult times, or with friends who are wondering what the future holds.
The verse is "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I wonder if you've ever heard anyone quote 29:10? "This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place."
Seen in context, the words of assurance from God in verse 11 are clearly being given to the remnant of the Jewish people who were deported and exiled in Babylon for seven decades. God promises he will restore the Jews to Judah; they will rebuild both Jerusalem and the Temple; they have a future secured by God. Therefore they can live with hope. Of course many who received this promise died in Babylon before the return. But the promise was given to the people of Israel, not to an individual.
So should individual Christians be claiming these words as though God is speaking specifically to their individual lives? The answer is simple: No.
Most of us would immediately react if we heard someone from a false cult taking a verse out of context and claiming it applied to them. Or, to use a silly example: if you are counselling a couple who are having difficulty conceiving, would you quote God's promise to Abraham? "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. "So shall your offspring be." (Genesis 15:5) Of course not, for you recognize by the context that this promise is only for Abraham.
So then what should we do with Jeremiah 29:11? We should connect it to the many NT promises given to all followers of Jesus. We could start with Romans 8:28 and I Corinthians 15:51, 52 and work through all of the wonderful promises that do apply to us.
So yes, the principle in Jeremiah 29:11 holds true for us. God does take care of His people and in numerous passages assures us that we indeed have a wonderful "hope and a future." But the future may not be rosy for next week, next month, or next year. God may choose to take us through a serious period of discipline for our own good. (Hebrews 12:4 - 13) Or we may suddenly face a lengthy time of testing of our faith. (James 1:2, 3)
We should know and rejoice in the promises of Scripture that are addressed to all believers. But let's be careful how we use Scripture and how we encourage others to use Scripture.
The verse is "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I wonder if you've ever heard anyone quote 29:10? "This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place."
Seen in context, the words of assurance from God in verse 11 are clearly being given to the remnant of the Jewish people who were deported and exiled in Babylon for seven decades. God promises he will restore the Jews to Judah; they will rebuild both Jerusalem and the Temple; they have a future secured by God. Therefore they can live with hope. Of course many who received this promise died in Babylon before the return. But the promise was given to the people of Israel, not to an individual.
So should individual Christians be claiming these words as though God is speaking specifically to their individual lives? The answer is simple: No.
Most of us would immediately react if we heard someone from a false cult taking a verse out of context and claiming it applied to them. Or, to use a silly example: if you are counselling a couple who are having difficulty conceiving, would you quote God's promise to Abraham? "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them. "So shall your offspring be." (Genesis 15:5) Of course not, for you recognize by the context that this promise is only for Abraham.
So then what should we do with Jeremiah 29:11? We should connect it to the many NT promises given to all followers of Jesus. We could start with Romans 8:28 and I Corinthians 15:51, 52 and work through all of the wonderful promises that do apply to us.
So yes, the principle in Jeremiah 29:11 holds true for us. God does take care of His people and in numerous passages assures us that we indeed have a wonderful "hope and a future." But the future may not be rosy for next week, next month, or next year. God may choose to take us through a serious period of discipline for our own good. (Hebrews 12:4 - 13) Or we may suddenly face a lengthy time of testing of our faith. (James 1:2, 3)
We should know and rejoice in the promises of Scripture that are addressed to all believers. But let's be careful how we use Scripture and how we encourage others to use Scripture.
No comments:
Post a Comment