Misunderstood.

It is, perhaps, understandable that various postal authorities regularly raise the cost of postage. More and more people use the internet to send 'letters' (e-mails), and greetings cards (e-cards), and fewer use any form of "snail-mail". I have to confess to being one of the guilty parties. Even the annual newsletter that my wife and I have been sending out since I was licensed as a "minister of the Gospel" has been in e-mail form for many years.

Greetings cards are also now sent electronically. I normally use a particular website (https://www.crosscards.com/) that provides, for many occasions, cards that have a specifically Christian message. However, there is one Biblical text that is used on many of their cards, that I refuse to use! It is, I would contend, one of the most misunderstood texts in the Old Testament, yet it is frequently quoted by those who claim to be disciples of Jesus, and who wish to encourage someone who is going through a difficult time.

The text is found in the book of the prophet Jeremiah, in the 29th chapter, and at verse 11: "'For I know the plans that I am planning concerning you,' declares YHWH, 'plans for prosperity, and not for harm; to give you a future and a hope.'" What a lovely promise! Who but those are opposed to, and who totally reject, the Biblical record could fail to be other than encouraged by such words? There is only one problem - they do not apply, directly, to you or to me!

Hermeneutics is the discipline of Biblical interpretation (the word may also be used for other literary interpretation). It has one supreme rule - nothing should be interpreted out of its context. There is another approach to specifically Old Testament (Hebrew: Tanakh) texts. I also recall a preacher point out that the words of the Old Testament fall into three categories: those that apply to the nation of Israel for all time; those that apply to the nation of Israel at fixed times; and those that apply to all people at all times.

An example of the first category would be the command, regarding the Feast of Passover, in Ex.12:14 where YHWH instructs His chosen people, through Moses, "This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation you must celebrate it as a special festival to YHWH. This is a law for all time." (emphasis added). With regard to the second category, we might take as an example the word given to Joshua in Josh.11:6, where we read, in the context of a coming battle: "Then YHWH said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.'" For the third category, no better example could be found than nine of the Ten Words (Commandments). The only one that does not apply to non-Jews is the Fourth, concerning Shabbat (Sabbath) observance.

Jer.29:11 falls into the second category. The words are part pf a letter, sent by the prophet Jeremiah, to his fellow-Jews in exile in Babylon (vs.4-28). The exiles were being informed by false prophets that no more of their countrymen would be taken captive, and that they would soon return to Jerusalem. However, through Jeremiah, YHWH informs then that they will be there for 70 years (two full generations!), and that they should settle down, and even pray for the city and for its welfare; and that those left in Jerusalem would face calamitous times.

Thankfully, YHWH is gracious, and this is where the words of v.11 come in. YHWH is assuring His people that, even in this difficult situation; even although they have been accepting the words of false prophets (with whom He will deal!); even although the words of Jeremiah are, on the face of it, depressing; He has not totally cast off His people! The time of their punishment is fixed, and He has great plans for them. Of course, as is the case throughout the Biblical record, there is the requirement of faithfulness and obedience! He will gather them "... from all the nations and all the places ..." (v.14) where He has sent them - words that are receiving their final fulfilment in this age, but that do not apply to believers today!

So, don't be in such a hurry to use Jer.29:11 as some kind of panacea for any difficulty - even if it is self-inflicted! But, our God is still a God of mercy and of love, and of grace. So we may apply these words, carefully, to ourselves. In the Zondervan Study Bible, D.A.Carson comments on vs.11-13: "It is also a profound encouragement to contemporary believers who may feel cut off from God by their sins or by difficult circumstances." The important point to make is that not even Dr Carson is suggesting that we may, as some do, presume upon God's love, and grace, and mercy. He is not suggesting that we may, as some do, take these words to mean that we will be financially rich, always find a good parking space, lose weight without any effort, or otherwise reinforce our carnal notions of prosperity. We need to read (remember!) in context. That means coming to the Lord in prayer (v.12); and seeking Him with all of our heart (v.13).

Then we may discover, for ourselves that, while not all Old Testament promises are directed to us, there may be occasions on which they may be legitimately appropriated for us! We may discover more of the truth of Paul's words to the believers in Rome, that: "... everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures [the Tanakh!] and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope." (15:4). May it be so for each of us, that He might be glorified in our lives, and witness.