Jeremiah 29:28 - because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long. Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit?”’”
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What does "Jeremiah 29:28" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 29:28, reflects the message that the prophet Shemaiah was falsely spreading among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Let's break down what it means in context:
"because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying...": This introduces the false message being attributed to Jeremiah by Shemaiah.
"The captivity is long...": This is the core of Shemaiah's false prophecy. He's telling the exiles that their time in Babylon is going to be extended, not short. He's suggesting they shouldn't expect a quick return to Jerusalem.
"Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit.": This is the practical consequence of the false prophecy. Shemaiah is advising the exiles to settle down and make a life for themselves in Babylon because they will be there for a significant period. They should invest in their lives in Babylon and treat it as a long-term home.
In essence, the verse describes a false prophecy of a prolonged exile, urging the Jews to permanently establish themselves in Babylon rather than hold onto hope for a swift return to their homeland.
Context is Key: To understand the full meaning, it's crucial to understand the larger context of Jeremiah chapter 29:
Jeremiah's True Message: Jeremiah actually sent a letter (Jeremiah 29:4-23) to the exiles with a different message from God. He did tell them to build houses and plant gardens (Jeremiah 29:5-7) and to seek the peace and prosperity of the city where they were exiled, but he also promised that after 70 years, God would bring them back to Jerusalem.
Shemaiah's Rebellion: Shemaiah was actively opposing Jeremiah's true message and stirring up rebellion among the exiles. He wanted them to believe that the exile would be long and indefinite. He was trying to undermine Jeremiah's authority and lead the exiles astray.
Consequences: God was displeased with Shemaiah's false prophecy and his attempt to deceive the people. Jeremiah prophesies judgment against Shemaiah and his descendants (Jeremiah 29:31-32).
Therefore, Jeremiah 29:28 is not an endorsement of settling in Babylon, but rather a record of the false and misleading message that Shemaiah was spreading, in direct opposition to Jeremiah's true prophecy from God. The point is to show how false prophets can twist God's word and lead people astray, and that there are serious consequences for doing so.
Jeremiah 29:28 - because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long. Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit?”’”
What does "Jeremiah 29:28" mean?
This verse, Jeremiah 29:28, reflects the message that the prophet Shemaiah was falsely spreading among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Let's break down what it means in context:
"because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying...": This introduces the false message being attributed to Jeremiah by Shemaiah.
"The captivity is long...": This is the core of Shemaiah's false prophecy. He's telling the exiles that their time in Babylon is going to be extended, not short. He's suggesting they shouldn't expect a quick return to Jerusalem.
"Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit.": This is the practical consequence of the false prophecy. Shemaiah is advising the exiles to settle down and make a life for themselves in Babylon because they will be there for a significant period. They should invest in their lives in Babylon and treat it as a long-term home.
In essence, the verse describes a false prophecy of a prolonged exile, urging the Jews to permanently establish themselves in Babylon rather than hold onto hope for a swift return to their homeland.
Context is Key: To understand the full meaning, it's crucial to understand the larger context of Jeremiah chapter 29:
Jeremiah's True Message: Jeremiah actually sent a letter (Jeremiah 29:4-23) to the exiles with a different message from God. He did tell them to build houses and plant gardens (Jeremiah 29:5-7) and to seek the peace and prosperity of the city where they were exiled, but he also promised that after 70 years, God would bring them back to Jerusalem.
Shemaiah's Rebellion: Shemaiah was actively opposing Jeremiah's true message and stirring up rebellion among the exiles. He wanted them to believe that the exile would be long and indefinite. He was trying to undermine Jeremiah's authority and lead the exiles astray.
Consequences: God was displeased with Shemaiah's false prophecy and his attempt to deceive the people. Jeremiah prophesies judgment against Shemaiah and his descendants (Jeremiah 29:31-32).
Therefore, Jeremiah 29:28 is not an endorsement of settling in Babylon, but rather a record of the false and misleading message that Shemaiah was spreading, in direct opposition to Jeremiah's true prophecy from God. The point is to show how false prophets can twist God's word and lead people astray, and that there are serious consequences for doing so.