“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future full of hope.” (Jer 29:11 ESV)
Many times, especially in the spring, when we encounter graduation cards and happy wishes for newly married couples, we find this verse. It is one of my favorite scripture passages and it is very comforting in times of transition and doubt. Yet it is almost always quoted without a context. Now, I don’t think that passages need to be always and every time read in context. But I do think that they should be understood in their contexts first and then applied outside of that context. They should initially be encountered where they stand in the text of the Bible. Only secondarily can they be made useful as moral teachings, personal messages or comforting words in times of difficulty. If we don’t take the initial step of trying to understand them in context then we easily get lost in the shuffle.
The context of Jeremiah 29:11 is very unique. The verse is in the midst of a prophetic letter which Jeremiah sent from Israel to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. It is a first person prophecy wherein Jeremiah speaks on behalf of the LORD. The LORD is telling the exiles to build houses and have children and pray. They are to be faithful to him in exile and then he promises to bring them back to Israel. The verse comes in the midst of his promise to bring them back to the Holy Land, where they will seek and find him and pray to him and call upon him. He will gather them back into the land.
If we understand the verse with its context, the application is a little bit different. It is not about future plans for something completely new, but future plans for the restoration of something lost. It is about bringing the people back to the the Land. God promises his faithfulness to his people who seek him “with all their hearts” (29:13). It is about God restoring his relationship with his people and them coming back to him in faithful love. It not only calls for trust, but for prayer, love and worship. God not only promises to love his people and be faithful to them, but he asks them to be faithful to him, to love him to draw near to him. God does have plans for us–plans to restore and heal and prosper our relationships with him, to bring us back from a land of sin and evil to a land of his bountiful goodness, his blessing, his life. Jeremiah 29:11 is not just about assuaging our anxieties about the future, but about the growth and restoration of our own relationships with God.
Thank you for this commentary. I know that Scripture must be explained by Scripture & that there is great danger in taking verses out of context. This short but informative analysis is very helpful to me.
This was very helpful, thank you, I had never known the context of this scripture even though it has been engraved on my keepsake box.
Awesome post! Thanks!
I just stumbled upon your website after hearing you on Catholic Answers Live the other day and then checking out your book on Amazon. I have now officially put your book on my Christmas list. Thanks for writing it!
Keep up the great work!
In Christ,
Greg
Great !
I have understood the proper meaning of this verse. Would like to use your bible materials to have correct meaning of the bible. How can I get to it.
Esther
@Esther: My work is available on my blog, in my book (Light on the Dark Passages of Scripture), in my various articles (mostly at Catholic Exchange), in the new Bible in a Year from the Augustine Institute and in the classes I teach at the Institute.
Thanks Mark, I have seen you lots of times in formed.org! Thanks a lot for sharing all your work. your enthusiasm and deep knowledge of scripture is inspiring. Your video on the readings of the coming 3rd Sunday of Lent in formed.org made me reflect on the Temple of God in my heart. I also learned about the coins used in the Temple at the time of Jesus. I knew about the dark business around the priests of the Temple and the money changers but you gave me more details on this. Your article in Catholic Exchange on the new covenant in Jeremiah that will be within our hearts through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us was excellent! An this one on Jeremiah as well focusing on context when we read a passage from the Bible are of great help for me. I will continue reading your work, God bless you and your family.
Forgot to mention that I live abroad and would prefer to buy a digital version of your book, kindle or ebook but don’t find it. Is it coming anytime soon?
Hi Gladys, my book is available on Kindle: https://smile.amazon.com/Light-Dark-Passages-Scripture-Giszczak-ebook/dp/B0185ZY1J2 and as an ebook from OSV: https://www.osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1609