Jeremiah 29:1-14
Jeremiah has entrusted two messengers with a letter for Babylon. It is addressed to those, from every class of people, who had already been carried away captive under the previous reign. The tone of this letter is totally different from that which the prophet uses when speaking to the people who remain in Jerusalem. To those in captivity he can express on the LORD’s behalf "thoughts of peace, and not of evil," words of comfort and encouragement, and moving promises.
Just like Israel in Babylon, the Christian is a stranger on the earth. His citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). He awaits the fulfilment of the promise which will bring him to his true Homeland. The "good word" of God guarantees him a future and a hope (vv. 10, 11). However, as with these people who have been taken captive, no precise moment is set when this happy experience will occur. The Lord wants us, indeed, to be expecting it at any time. And, until the happy moment of His return, let us remember that we also have duties towards our city or our village (v. 7): to seek the peace (cf. Matthew 5:9), to consider the welfare of souls and to pray for those with whom we live.