Seek the Welfare of the City Words of Encouragement Jeremiah 29: 1-14 esp. 7   OBJECTIVE: Seeking the welfare of the city means that we be satisfied where we are and do our best to make the place we live a prosperous place. Jeremiah 29:1–14 (ESV) — 1 These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem. 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said: 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. 10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

After the deportation to Babylon Jews are captive because of turning their back on God Jeremiah wanted to enlighten the people and inform them Babylonians were a pagan society. Jeremiah addressed the needs of three kinds of people (No Hope, False Hope, Real Hope) ~~~After the deportation ~~~Jews are captive because of turning their back on God Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet ~~~Jeremiah wanted to enlighten the people and inform them They would be in captivity for a total of 70 years Having laws of clean and unclean animals was a terrific struggle in this land ~~~Babylonians were a pagan soviety. ~~~~~~~~~Jeremiah addressed the needs of three kinds of people No Hope, False Hope, Real Hope

Those with no hope 4-6 4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. ~~~4 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.

Exiles had lost everything Only possessions were what they could carry with them Freedom had been lost Relatives died on the march to Babylon Separated from family No matter how they looked at it, it looked hopeless ~~~Only possessions were what they could carry with them ~~~Freedom had been lost ~~~Relatives died on the march to Babylon ~~~Separated from family ~~~~~~~No matter how they looked at it, it looked hopeless

How should we handle depressing situations? Accept it from the hand of God v. 4 Let God have His way. Does not good to Sit and weep Hang their harps on the trees and sit and weep This may be the temporary normal reaction ~~~Accept it from the hand of God v. 4 ~~~Let God have His way. ~~~Does not good to Sit and weep ~~~ Hang their harps on the trees and sit and weep ~~~~~~~~This may be the temporary normal reaction Psalm 137:1–4 (ESV)-Next slide

Psalm 137:1–4 (ESV) 1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? ~~~~~~~~ 1 By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. 2 On the willows there we hung up our lyres. 3 For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

A first step in turning tragedy into triumph Accept the situation courageously Put yourself into the hands of a loving God who makes no mistakes ~~~Accept the situation courageously ~~~~~~~Put yourself into the hands of a loving God who makes no mistakes

II. Those with false hopes 6-9 Jeremiah 29:6–9 (ESV) …7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Verse 7 With Context ~~~~~~~~Jeremiah 29:6–9 (ESV) — 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, 9 for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.

False prophets Vs. 8-9 Do not listen to them—You will end up in misery  You will go back—No need to settle down in the community  No need to try to resume a normal life ~~~Vs. 8-9 Do not listen to them—You will end up in misery   ~~~You will go back—No need to settle down in the community ~~~~~~~No need to try to resume a normal life

Jeremiah told them the opposite They will be there as long as 70 years v. 10 This small group of exiles was holding the future of God’s plan in their hands. Salvation This small Jewish remnant was holding in its hands the future of God’s great plan of salvation, and they must obey Him, be fruitful, and multiply (v. 6).  ~~~They will be there as long as 70 years v. 10 ~~~This small group of exiles was holding the future of God’s plan in their hands. Salvation ~~~~~~~~~This small Jewish remnant was holding in its hands the future of God’s great plan of salvation, and they must obey Him, be fruitful, and multiply (v. 6). 

It would be easy for the Jews to wage constant warfare against their idolatrous Gentile captors Instructed to get along with the Babylonians Exiles were to be peacemakers, not trouble makers They were to pray sincerely for their enemies ~~~Instructed to get along with the Babylonians ~~~Exiles were to be peacemakers, not trouble makers ~~~~~~They were to pray sincerely for their enemies

Matthew 5:43–48 (ESV) — 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. ~~~~~~~~~~~ — 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  

1 Timothy 2:1–3 (ESV) 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ~~~~~~~~~1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Titus 3:1–2 (ESV) 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. ~~~~~~~~~— 1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

Plenty of time to build houses and set up homes. Have families Build houses Be fruitful and multiply ~~~Have families ~~~Build houses ~~~~~~~~Be fruitful and multiply  

It was possible to be good Jews even in a pagan land Reject wooden yoke End up wearing yoke of iron Jeremiah 28:12–14 (ESV) …‘Thus says the Lord: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron. …” ~~~Reject wooden yoke ~~~~End up wearing yoke of iron ~~~~Jeremiah 28:12–14 (ESV) …‘Thus says the Lord: You have broken wooden bars, but you have made in their place bars of iron. …”

Yield to the Lord No matter how badly they treat us 1 Peter 2:18–25 ~~~~~~~~1 Peter 2:18–25 (ESV) — 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19 For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

Seek the Welfare of the city What is best for Jackson? How can anyone help to make Jackson better Get involved in the parade Help to push forward the city Two places opened this week Build houses and live in them Plant gardens and eat their produce Pray for the city ~~~~What is best for Jackson? ~~~~How can anyone help to make Jackson better Mow Lawns, plow snow ~~~~Get involved in the parade ~~~~Help to push forward the city ~~~~Two places opened this week Bokkett lumber—Lumber Yard reopened Coffee Nest opened yesterday ~~~~Build houses and live in them ~~~~Plant gardens and eat their produce ~~~~~~Pray for the city

In its welfare, you will find welfare  To indulge in false hopes is to miss what God has planned for us.  ~~~~~~To indulge in false hopes is to miss what God has planned for us.

Those who have true Hope 10-14  True hope is based on the revealed Word of God Not dream messages of self appointed prophets  God gave his people a gracious promise v, 10 Deliver them Jeremain 29:10-14 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. ~~~~~ True hope is based on the revealed Word of God Not dream messages of self appointed prophets   ~~~~~God gave his people a gracious promise v, 10 ~~~~~~~~Deliver them

God Knows the plans He has for them Plans for good and not evil Plans to bring hope and peace Therefore, no need to be afraid or discouraged ~~~Plans for good and not evil ~~~Plans to bring hope and peace ~~~~~~~Therefore, no need to be afraid or discouraged

Those with True Hope God’s people have responsibility to pray Ask God to fulfill His promises Word and prayer go together Acts 6:4 (ESV) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ~~~God’s people have responsibility to pray ~~~Ask God to fulfill His promises ~~~Word and prayer go together ~~~~~~~~Acts 6:4 (ESV) But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Details 70 years will be completed, I will bring you back V. 10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”   ~~~70 years will be completed, I will bring you back v ~~~~~~~~10 “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”

God’s Plans Jeremiah 29:11-14 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. ~~~~~~11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

God’s Plans For Welfare and not for evil Give you a future and a hope Our responsibility—12 Promise—I will hear you Responsibility—13 seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with all your heart ~~~For Welfare and not for evil what is your best, what is good for you not for evil ~~~Give you a future and a hope What is going to happen? Future is to be looked forward to Hope, Without hope, we will drown ~~~ Our responsibility—12 call upon me Come pray to me ~~~Promise—I will hear you ~~~~~~Responsibiliy—13 seek me and find me WHEN you seek me with all your heart

Promise v. 14 I will be found by you I will restore your fortunes I will gather you from all the nations Promise-I will bring you back ~~~I will be found by you ~~~I will restore your fortunes ~~~I will gather you from all the nations ~~~~~~~Promise-I will bring you back

Seek the Welfare of Jackson

Purpose of Chastening Hebrew 12:3-13 Hebrews 12:3–13 (ESV) — 3 Consider him .., so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. … And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons …7. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. …11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:3–13 (ESV) — 3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. 4 In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

The purpose of chastening Seek the Lord Confess our sins Draw near to Him Seek the Lord Confess our sins Draw near to Him