Read | Jeremiah 29:1–23
This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon. This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had left Jerusalem. He sent the letter with Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The letter stated:
This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce. Find wives for yourselves, and have sons and daughters. Find wives for your sons and give your daughters to men in marriage so that they may bear sons and daughters. Multiply there; do not decrease. Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”
For this is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Don’t let your prophets who are among you and your diviners deceive you, and don’t listen to the dreams you elicit from them, for they are prophesying falsely to you in my name. I have not sent them.” This is the LORD’s declaration.
For this is what the LORD says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. I will be found by you”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you”—this is the LORD’s declaration. “I will restore you to the place from which I deported you.”
You have said, “The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon!” But this is what the LORD says concerning the king sitting on David’s throne and concerning all the people living in this city—that is, concerning your brothers who did not go with you into exile. This is what the LORD of Armies says: “I am about to send sword, famine, and plague against them, and I will make them like rotten figs that are inedible because they are so bad. I will pursue them with sword, famine, and plague. I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth—a curse and a desolation, an object of scorn and a disgrace among all the nations where I have banished them. I will do this because they have not listened to my words”—this is the LORD’s declaration—“the words that I sent to them with my servants the prophets time and time again. And you too have not listened.” This is the LORD’s declaration.
Hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon. This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, the ones prophesying a lie to you in my name: “I am about to hand them over to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes. Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse that says, ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ because they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken in my name a lie, which I did not command them. I am he who knows, and I am a witness.” This is the LORD’s declaration.
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Focus
View this work of art, Selections from Jeremiah series, by Dawn Waters Baker, connected to Sunday’s sermon passage.
As you look at this week’s piece, take a few quiet moments to notice details, colors, or emotions that stand out to you. Ask God what he might be saying through the image, and listen for his insight in your thoughts, feelings, or prayers.
Commentary:
Dawn Waters Baker’s paintings delve into the intangible emotional and spiritual dimensions that often remain concealed within the natural landscapes. These five panels are from her forthcoming body of work illuminating the entire book of Jeremiah.
From left to right: Jeremiah 29:11-12: Make Yourselves a Home There, Jeremiah 29: Reaching for the Light (if you look for me you will find me), Jeremiah 30: 22-24: Like a Storm, Jeremiah 30: 22-24, Descendants Like Stars, Jeremiah 32: Buy a Field.
Baker has said of these works:
These paintings came from reading the book of Jeremiah over and over again for over a year. I have been learning what it means to weep and what it means that we have a God who weeps, who feels. God chooses this sensitive poet to witness so much pain; he knew what kind of heart Jeremiah had. God chose him as a young boy and he would see such difficult things over 40 years. The Assyrian empire would fall, Babylon would rise, the good kings and the bad kings would make their mark. The world was overcome by lust for power, territory and pleasure. Jeremiah cries into the void: Remember the orphan! The widow! The oppressed!
Jeremiah has become a beloved friend to me. He tells me to keep steady, keep praying, keep speaking into the injustice and darkness but don’t look away.
God says, “I’m faithful.” and Jeremiah stays faithful.
Dawn Waters Baker exhibited at the Four Chapter Gallery in 2020, and we have her work, Abolitionists on display as part of our permanent collection.
Art Source: Selections from Jeremiah series, Dawn Waters Baker, 2026. Used by permission. dawnwatersbaker.com
Pray
Pray for renewed longing for your true home with God.
Going Deeper
If you are also following the BibleProject’s One Story That Leads to Jesus reading plan, complete today’s reading.
