God’s Good Plan in a Foreign Land

“ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ” – Jeremiah 29:11 With life as they knew it torn from beneath them, the Jews were upset, ready to revolt, and wondering what to do next. Thankfully, the Lord gave an oracle to the prophet Jeremiah to share with the displaced population. Though he was still in Israel, God’s servant heard clearly from His Heavenly Father’s heart, and he sent an unexpected message to his countrymen in Babylon.  While the exiles were anticipating divine permission to wage war, Jehovah’s plan for them was to do just the opposite. Rather than unsettling their new city, He encouraged them to marry, have families, and seek the welfare of their new homeland. The accompanying promise was that if this pagan place prospered, so