Pastor and 1st Lady Mims

Week 5, October 4, 2026

LESSON 5

A Message to the Earlier Exiles

Lesson Text:

Jeremiah 24:1—7; 29:1—14

Memory Verse
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. "
Jeremiah 29: 11

Key Terms
Acclimate • To become accustomed to a new climate or to new conditions.
Advocacy • The act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.
Endurance • The fact or power of facing an unpleasant or difficult process or -situation without giving way.

Suggested Emphasis

When the first group of captives—King Jehoiakim and his royal court, and the nobles and artisans of Jerusalem—were taken to Babylon, the Prophet Jeremiah had a vision about their situation (Jer. 24). The prophet saw two baskets of figs in front of the Temple. The one contained newly ripened fruit, at the peak of fresh ness and delicacy. The other basket had rotten figs that were not fit to be eaten. The Lord then told him that the good figs represented that first group of exiles, and the rotten figs represented Zedekiah and the officials still dwelling in the land. The overall impression the prophet had of the former group was that they were favored by the Lord, even though they seemed to have the worst circumstances at the time. "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the BabyIonians. I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them hearts that recognize me as the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly" (Jer. 24:5—7, NLT). This won the prophet's sympathy and advocacy for the exiles. It may have been the impetus for the letter he went on to write them (Jer. 29).

Emphasis 1

Flourish in Babylon

In his letter, Jeremiah gave instruction to the exiles stranded in Babylon: "Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens and eat the food they produce" (Jer. 29:5, NLT). He wanted them to seek stability and live as comfortably as they could in that foreign land. "Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!" (Jer. 29:6, NLT). They could still flourish; they could thrive in Babylon like their ancient forebearers did in Egypt (Exod. 1:7). "And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare" (Jer. 29:7, NLT). The counsel to the exiles was to stop cursing their misfortune. For their own benefit, they needed to become acclimated to their new surroundings. They needed to pursue the safety and prosperity of their temporary home. They needed to pray for those in authority so they could live peaceful and quiet lives (see 1 Tim. 2:2). This attitude was ultimately adopted by Daniel and his friends, when they became provincial governors over Babylon (Dan. 2:48,49). Following this advice made those Hebrew boys successful and influential in Nebuchadnezzar's court.

Emphasis 2

Expect What God Has Promised

The Lord knew there were hindrances to the Judeans settling into their exile. First, there were false prophets in their midst bringing a contrary word. God told them to ignore these charlatans: "For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name; I have not sent them, saith the Lord" (Jer. 29:9). He superseded the false prophecies with a sure word. "For thus saith the Lord, that after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place" (Jer. 29:10). Afterwards, God would "visit" them by stirring Cyrus of Persia to permit the exiles to return home.

The Lord then affirmed that this prophecy reflected the depth of His heart for the people: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jer. 29: 11). What He had resolved to do for the exiles reflected His reservoir of love, grace, and mercy. His "thoughts of peace" are particularly significant. Consider the definition of the Hebrew word shalom ("peace") provided by Jonathan Bernis, the Messianic Jewish preacher and host of the "Jewish Voice" television program. Bernis said shalom means much more than the absence of conflict: it also means "wellness, well-being, happiness, welfare, prosperity, health, rest, and wholeness. I believe the best and fullest definition of the word is 'to complete or bring to completion.' Shalom is one of the richest words in the Hebrew language" (Bernis, 2016, p. 62). That was the fullness of God's sentiment for the exiles. He intended that there be nothing missing, nothing lacking, and nothing broken in their lives—the peace of God which surpasses all understanding. This was their "expected end"—the hope to which they could confidently cling. The Judeans could trust that God would bring everything He promised to pass and that hope would empower their endurance.

Emphasis 3

Living So You Can Be Blessed

The final verses in the lesson text show the practical side of endurance. The Lord foresaw how the people of God would behave, and how He would reward them. "'In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the LORD. 'l will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land"' (Jer. 29:12—14). "While God's love is unconditional, His blessings are not. You and I have a part to play. In order to receive the blessings that God has planned for you, you must put Him and His kingdom first in your life, and as the above Scripture says, search for Him with your whole heart" (Bernis, 2016, p. 1 19). When we endure through our trials we model the trust in God that sustained that first wave of exiles. And just as God's good word over them did not fail, His promises over our lives will be fulfilled through our faith.

Missions Application Questions

What does the vision of the baskets of figs reveal about the Lord's appraisal of the first wave of exiles?
Why did Jeremiah want the exiles to become acclimated to their new home in Babylon?
In what way was God's declaration of His "thoughts of peace" toward the exiles supposed to encourage them?
How do we participate in bringing to fruition the promises of God over our lives?

World Missions Prayer Points
• Let us pray to fully embrace the will of God concerning our lives.
• Let us pray to remember that our Father always intends to do us good.
• Let us thank God for peace in the fullest sense: nothing missing, nothing lacking, nothing broken.

Mims Chapel Church