A garden in exile (Dan Wells)

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“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.” (Jeremiah 29:5)

When the people of Israel went into exile in Babylon, it was a devastating time. They were torn away from the land that God had given them. They were separated from the temple where they could worship. They were living in a foreign land among people who didn’t know God and didn’t worship him.

God speaks to the people of Israel through Jeremiah and gives them a word of hope. He tells them that their exile won’t last forever, but it will come to an end. Until that day comes, they are to live in this foreign land of Babylon. But they aren’t just to put up with living there. They are to settle down. They are to seek the peace and prosperity of the city and nation, even though it did not acknowledge God. They are to build houses, and they are to plant gardens. They are to make things grow and prosper until the day of return comes around.

There is a way in which Christians today are also in exile. Our home is with God, and that home will only truly arrive when Jesus returns in glory. Until that day, we live, as it were, in a foreign land. We live in a society that doesn’t follow God, just like those Israelites in the Old Testament.

God’s word to us is the same as his word to them: settle down, build houses. Seek the peace and prosperity of the place where you are. Make things grow: love, community, care, safety. Plant gardens and eat what you grow. Make good things grow wherever you go. Bring a taste of your heavenly home now, as you wait for your heavenly home to come.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you are with us wherever we live. Help us to bring a taste of your kingdom wherever we go. Help us to plant and water and make good things grow where we are. Amen.

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