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A FUTURE AND A HOPE

Text: Jeremiah 29
4 November 2018

MANY CALLS TO REPENTANCE

Many were the prophets whom God sent to warn His people of the dangers:

  1. Of forsaking God
  1. Of idolatry
  1. Of the pursuit of wickedness

Jeremiah was one of the longest-serving prophets God raised up. Sadly, the calls for repentance and returning to God fell on deaf ears!

THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF THE BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY  

There came the day when God declared His decision to send Judah into captivity.

  1. They will be captives in Babylon for 70 years     Jeremiah 25:11
  1. They will be forced to serve the Babylonian overlords
  1. They will live in exile
  1. The voice of mirth and the voice of gladness would cease     Jeremiah 25:10
  1. The whole land of Judah would be in desolation

THE HOPE THAT GOD GAVE

But this would not be “the complete end” of Judah. God gave them this promise.

For thus says the LORD:

After seventy years are completed at Babylon,

I will visit you and perform My good word toward you,

And cause you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,

Thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future,

And a hope.      Jeremiah 29:10-11

  1. After seventy years

These years of punishment must be endured. But there is hope after the years have been completed. Judah’s sins against the Lord and the people who perpetuated evil had to be punished!

  1. The Lord’s wonderful promises given:

a) I will visit you

b) And perform My good word toward you

c) And cause you to return to this place (The land of Judah)

  1. The Lord’s thoughts toward His people

a) They are thoughts of peace

b) They are not thoughts of evil

c) The Lord will give them a future

d) He will give them a wonderful hope

These are wonderful thoughts that should resonate with us. Thank God for Hope for a meaningful Future!