Exile Life
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:1-7
The prophet’s words had come true. The Jews, or at least a large number of them, had been taken captive and had become exiles in Babylon. The term “exile” was later picked up on by Peter. He writes to the members of the early church and calls them exiles as well. An exile is someone who is living away from his or her true home, and in that sense, every Christian is an exile. We are citizens of heaven. The kingdom of God is our true land.
Exiles don’t fit in. They are different. They speak different languages, hold different values, and have different cultures. Jeremiah’s advice to the Jewish exiles in Babylon has value for us today. We should heed his words and practice his wisdom.
What should we do while we live our exilic life? “Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage…seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Make yourself at home where you are. Do everyday stuff. Find joy and purpose in the little things. And pray. Yes, even pray for that pagan, idolatrous, evil nation in which you find yourself. Those pagans aren’t going to petition God for themselves, but you can do it for them. You want them to have peace and prosperity because if they do, you will.
