A verse often quoted in churches and by TV preachers is found at Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (KJV)
Why not; it doesn’t get any more positive than that.
To be fair, it can be argued that the words in the verse above captures God’s thoughts toward every believer. And that’s the context in which the verse is often presented.
The problem I have with the way the verse is being presented, however, is that it’s being taken out of its proper context. This verse was not given as a promise to the people of God at large. It was intended to encourage the people of God in the Old Testament as they were in captivity.
Because of their sins, God allowed them to be taken into captivity in Babylon. While there, Jeremiah sent a letter to them. “Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people….” (Verse 1, KJV).
Some Background about Their Captivity
1. God was the one who caused His people to be taken captive. He said, “Whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon” (verse 4, KJV). Their captivity was God’s judgment upon them for their disobedience.
2. False prophets were speaking false hope to the people in the name of the Lord. (Sounds like false prophets today). God says concerning them, “They prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them” (verse 9, KJV). This implies that the false prophets were promising the people a speedy return when God had not.
3. God’s people were to remain in captivity for seventy years. Afterward, God promised, “I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you (verse 10, KJV).” This was the exact opposite of what the false prophets were saying. That’s a long time to be held captive in another country. The duration of the people’s captivity underscored God’s displeasure with His people.
That brings us to the proper context of Jeremiah 29:11. God allowed His people to be led into captivity. He was going to keep them in the hands of the enemy for seventy years. Nevertheless, this severe punishment did not reflect the plans He had for them. His plans were for their welfare and not for their calamity. Plans to give them a future and a hope!
Significance of Jeremiah 29:11 for Us
What God allowed to happen to His people must have seemed unthinkable to them. Sometimes, we may find ourselves in situations that we regard as unthinkable that God would allow. But those circumstances never reflect God’s thoughts toward us. He always has “thoughts of peace, and not of evil” toward us (verse 11, KJV).
The verse, Jeremiah 29:11, underscores the importance of the need for us to always walk by faith and not by sight. For instance, God promised, “I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place” (verse 10).
In other words, don’t define your life by where you currently are or how bad things look at the moment. Believe that God always has good plans for your life. Plans for your welfare and not for calamity. Plans to give you a future and a hope.”
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
