Jer 29:3 | KingComments | STEP | The historical situation of this chapter is that in 597 BC some 3,000 Jews were carried away into exile with Jehoiachin, including a number of priests and false prophets, along with the royal household. In Jerusalem, Jeremiah hears that some exiled false prophets are predicting a speedy fall of Babylon and a speedy restoration of the exiles. Jeremiah therefore writes several letters to the exiles. In them he warns them against this deception and urges them to wait patiently for God’s time. We read the first letter in , the second in , addressed to Shemaiah, a false prophet in Babylon, the third in . Jeremiah has so far always spoken to those who have remained in the land. Now we see here that the LORD is also concerned with those who have been taken into exile to Babylon. Jeremiah shares His feelings and writes them a letter ( ). The letter is not only addressed to the elders, but to all the exiles. Among those who left for Babylon are the political leaders and also “the craftsmen and the smiths” ( ). The latter are the executors of what the politicians devise. By taking them all away, both the government and the executive are broken and there is nothing left to fear from Israel. The queen mother is Nehushta ( ; ). Zedekiah has the letter delivered by two men in Babylon ( ). It may be that these men are an envoy going to Babylon to remit the tax to Nebuchadnezzar and assure him of Zedekiah’s loyalty. Babylon probably allows communication between those left behind in Judah and the exiles. The exiles are as exposed to the message of the false prophets as the people in Jerusalem are. The hope of a soon end to the exile is also proclaimed in Babylon by the false prophets.

‏ Jeremiah 29:3

Introduction

The historical situation of this chapter is that in 597 BC some 3,000 Jews were carried away into exile with Jehoiachin, including a number of priests and false prophets, along with the royal household. In Jerusalem, Jeremiah hears that some exiled false prophets are predicting a speedy fall of Babylon and a speedy restoration of the exiles.

Jeremiah therefore writes several letters to the exiles. In them he warns them against this deception and urges them to wait patiently for God’s time. We read the first letter in Jer 29:1-23, the second in Jer 29:24-28, addressed to Shemaiah, a false prophet in Babylon, the third in Jer 29:31-32.

The Letter of Jeremiah

Jeremiah has so far always spoken to those who have remained in the land. Now we see here that the LORD is also concerned with those who have been taken into exile to Babylon. Jeremiah shares His feelings and writes them a letter (Jer 29:1). The letter is not only addressed to the elders, but to all the exiles.

Among those who left for Babylon are the political leaders and also “the craftsmen and the smiths” (Jer 29:2). The latter are the executors of what the politicians devise. By taking them all away, both the government and the executive are broken and there is nothing left to fear from Israel. The queen mother is Nehushta (Jer 13:18; 2Kgs 24:8).

Zedekiah has the letter delivered by two men in Babylon (Jer 29:3). It may be that these men are an envoy going to Babylon to remit the tax to Nebuchadnezzar and assure him of Zedekiah’s loyalty. Babylon probably allows communication between those left behind in Judah and the exiles. The exiles are as exposed to the message of the false prophets as the people in Jerusalem are. The hope of a soon end to the exile is also proclaimed in Babylon by the false prophets.