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. (Jeremiah 29:11)
So popular and encouraging, these words can be found on wall decor, coffee mugs, graduation cards, or across social media. The question is – do we really know what they mean?
Many have claimed this promise for themselves personally in difficult circumstances: someone who has just lost their job, a person who has just received a difficult medical diagnosis, or a student graduating high school or college and unsure of God’s plan for their future. In each of these situations we want assurance of God’s good plan for our lives, but are we turning to the right verse?
A Verse with a Context
Just like any other piece of writing, bible verses have context. With most books we come across, we read them from beginning to end. We read the chapters in order, we read the paragraphs in order, and when we read a single sentence, we consider the sentences surrounding it. However, with the Bible, we often forget these good practices.
So what is the context of Jeremiah 29:11?
The Old Testament people of God, the nation of Israel, has been drifting from God and living in disobedience for generations. As a result, God has brought discipline on them in the form of destruction by a foreign nation. The northern kingdom of Israel has fallen, and now the southern kingdom of Judah has been conquered by the world superpower of Babylon. The survivors of Jerusalem have been sent into exile to live in Babylon.
Jeremiah the prophet writes a letter on behalf of God to these exiles living in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:1). He warns them about the false prophets among them who are prophesying lies (Jeremiah 29:8-9). The lie is that their time in Babylon will be short. The truth is that their time in exile will be 70 years (Jeremiah 29:10)! As a result, God gives instructions for them to build houses and gardens, to get married and have children (Jeremiah 29:4-7). The message is basically – settle in, you’re going to be there a while!
It is in the midst of this message, that God gives a reassuring word to these exiles – “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 (Jeremiah 29:11).”
Your Life Today
So was this encouraging word custom-made for you and your situation? Not quite. But is it nonetheless an encouraging passage? Absolutely!
Understanding the context should actually lead to deeper comfort from this verse.
First, we learn from the context (and the rest of Scripture) that even the painful trials we face are part of God’s plan. The exile of the Israelites was part of God’s plan. At first, that truth feels hard to swallow. However, consider the alternative. Is it more comforting to know that God is in control of the hard times in our lives, or to think that those hard times have come because they are outside of God’s control – that he didn’t know about them or couldn’t stop them? It is because God is in control that he could reassure the Israelites with the words of Jeremiah 29:11, and it is because God is in control that he can reassure us with the words of passages like Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Second, we learn from the context that some trials will be long and that God has a history of carrying his people through them. The Israelites were in exile in Babylon for 70 years! That is a long trial. God does not promise that all of our pain will come to an end quickly. However, he does promise that he will walk with us through the trial (Matthew 28:20) and that one day our suffering will come to an end (Revelation 21:1-5).
Third, we learn from the context (and the rest of Scripture) that God always keeps his promises. Babylon was eventually conquered by Persia, and when 70 years were complete, Cyrus the King of Persia allowed the Israelites to return to their home – just as God promised. Because of this story and so many more in Scripture, we can rest assured that all of God’s promises are true.
When studying the Bible, it is important to follow the steps in order – interpretation before application. Ask first: What is the context of this passage and what did it mean to its original audience? Then ask: How does it apply to my life today?
So is it really so bad to hang this passage on your wall? No. Just remember the context. It isn’t a promise written directly to us, but it is a great example of God’s goodness and faithfulness to his people across all generations.
