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Living in Exile

Jeremiah 29:4-10

Jeremiah gave the Jews living in Babylon what must have seemed like some shocking instructions, considering that the exile would last for 70 years. They were to carry out the normal activities of daily life like building houses, raising crops, and raising families—activities associated with the Promised Land (Deut. 6:10–11). They were to pray for the peace (shalom) of Babylon in the same way that they prayed for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps. 122:6), and Babylon would become their city of security and well-being.

The NT refers to Christians as "sojourners and pilgrims" (1 Pet. 2:11). Until we reach our heavenly home, we are in a similar situation to Israel during their time in Babylonian captivity. The Lord tells Israel to contribute to the good of the community in which they live without being deceived by false prophets. The Lord would also call on the exiles to live like Daniel and his friends, who refused to compromise their commitment to the Lord and the standards of His Word in the midst of a pagan culture (Dan. 1—6). They are a reminder to us of how Jesus prays for His followers to be in the world but not of it (John 17:13–16).

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