The 29:11 Controversy
Okay, well it’s not really a controversy but for me it has been a debated issue. What exactly am I referring to? Jeremiah 29:11, the context that people often tend to use it in specifically. Before I continue let me preface this by saying that I believe that while believers often misquote this, I don’t question that their intention is pure. Nevertheless, we as believers should always be cautious of how we are quoting and applying scripture and, when necessary, privately correct our well intending brethren in gentleness lest we should lead someone astray in their understanding of God’s word and His heart. I digress, here’s The Perspective!
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Before we dive into Jeremiah 29:11, it is important to briefly note the context of this verse so allow me to summarize it in a nutshell (please do not take my nutshell summary as Gospel as it is summarized so I will warn you that minor details may be missed - please always search the scriptures yourself).
The nation of Israel, prior to this passage, had been moved into the promised land by the Lord and His intent for His people was to be a light of righteousness in a region surrounded by pagan nations
Instead of leading a righteous example, they conformed to the norms of the neighboring pagan nations
The Lord sent prophets to His people warning them to repent; they did not heed their warning
The Lord then uses Babylon as a method of judgement against His people for not heeding the calls to repentance; the Jews were exiled to Babylon for 70 years
A false prophet named Hananiah arises and claims that the Lord has spoken to him and stated that within two years the Jews will return home (Jer. 28:1-4) - a contradiction to what the Lord spoke in chapter 25 (see Jer. 25:9-13)
The Lord speaks to Jeremiah later in chapter 28 and tells him that Hananiah has prophesied falsely
Now that we have established a bit of the context during and prior to that verse, let me address a couple of things. First, often times this verse is thrown out very lightly sometimes in the context of encouragement, other times implying that we are promised a prosperous life in this world as believers. Even some prosperity teachers (whom I will not name though they be vast in number) will use this verse and follow by saying, “God is going to reap on your behalf a harvest and your sorrows will be turned over to complete joy! Receive your miracle of tenfold abundance in faith and be richly blessed!” I sometimes joke to myself that if our brethren who were martyred could hear this teaching, they would be astonished. Preceding Jeremiah 29:11 are verses 8-10 which state:
For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed. For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the Lord. For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.
In a certain way, it is interesting how in the verses prior to verse 11 the Lord is warning His people to not let their itching ears cause them to be susceptible to false prophecies that cater to what they want to hear (I’m summarizing of course). In fact, He reminds Jeremiah that the people are being punished! He reminds Jeremiah that the people will have to endure for that 70 year period but what does He do after? He goes on to state that He will be faithful to keep His Word and lead His people back to the promised land.
If there is something that I do not want to do it is to imply that because this scripture does not directly pertain to us that nothing can be taken from it. So, if Jeremiah 29:11 doesn’t exactly pertain to us what is to be taken from it? The heart of God. In the midst of God’s disciplinary action towards Israel He reminds His people that He doesn’t want to bring evil upon them but is going to keep His Word and usher them back home when the time comes.
In the end, the Lord isn’t directly promising you absolute health and total prosperity in every aspect of your life through Jeremiah 29:11 - He is reminding the church of today what His heart is toward us no matter how difficult the circumstance is that we might be facing. In a way, I suppose that you could say rather than this verse being a promise of prosperity it rather instead is a message of hope even in the midst of despair - He is faithful to keep His word and His promises to His children.