The Plans of the Lord
Introduction
Today’s Bible study comes from Jeremiah 29:11-13. This passage details how the Lord really does have our best interests at heart even when things seem bleak.
Comparison
ESV
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. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
NASB
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
NIV
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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
NLT
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Notable Differences
Notice the different translations of the word shalom. Often used as a greeting today is also usually translated as peace. Also notice how the word raah is translated differently. All the translations mean essentially the same thing but is easier to understand in the NIV or the ESV. Here is one example of why I don’t particularly care for the NLT. They take v.12-13 and oversimplify them and I think some of the meaning is taken away in this effort.
Observation
1) Verse begins with conjunction “for”
2) Contrast of welfare and evil
3) I/me=God
4) You=Jews/Israelites
5) When you seek with all your heart you find God
6) Lots of “and” statements
7) “will” implies definiteness but also future tense
Deep Dive/Context
Context
In context these verses occur during the onset of the exile to Babylon. In previous verses Jeremiah is encouraging the exiles to settle down, have families and pray for their new home as they will be there for 70 years. Jeremiah is also speaking out against false prophets who are trying to convince the people that the exile will be short. In this passage the Lord is promising a restoration to the promised land at the end of the exile.
Deep Dive
The exile to Babylon was intended to bring the Israelites back to God. By sending them to a new land essentially in captivity they would be forced to overtime seek for God.
Application
The plans of the Lord for our lives is for our benefit though at times it may seem hard. When those hard times occur, and they will, it is important to turn fully to God and lean on him. In John 16:33 we are told “In this world you will have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world (ESV).” The first part of the passage is a promise that we can rely on, the second part is the action we must take. We must seek him with our everything and we will find him.
