Jeremiah, fearing that this delusion might induce them to take some hasty steps, ill comporting with their present state, wrote a letter to them, which he entrusted to an embassy which Zedekiah had sent on some political concerns to Nebuchadnezzar. The letter was directed to the elders, priests, prophets, and people who had been carried away captives to Babylon.

Jer. 29:1-7 The written word of God is as truly given by inspiration of God as his spoken word. The zealous servant of the Lord will use ever means to profit those who are far off, as well as those who are nea him. The art of writing is very profitable for this end; and by the ar of printing it is rendered most beneficial for circulating the knowledge of the word of God. God's sending to the captives by thi letter would show that he had not forsaken them, though he wa displeased, and corrected them. If they live in the fear of God, the may live comfortably in Babylon. In all conditions of life, it is ou wisdom and duty not to throw away the comfort of what we may have because we have not all we would have. They are directed to seek the good of the country where they were captives. While the king of Babylo protected them, they must live quiet and peaceable lives under him, in all godliness and honesty; patiently leaving it to God to wor deliverance for them in due time.

Jer. 29:8-19 Let men beware how they call those prophets whom the choose after their own fancies, and how they consider their fancies an dreams to be revelations from God. False prophets flatter people in their sins, because they love to be flattered; and they speak smoothl to their prophets, that their prophets may speak smoothly to them. God promises that they should return after seventy years were accomplished By this it appears, that the seventy years of the captivity are not to be reckoned from the last captivity, but the first. It will be the bringing to pass of God's good word to them. This shall form God' purposes. We often do not know our own minds, but the Lord is never a an uncertainty. We are sometimes ready to fear that God's designs ar all against us; but as to his own people, even that which seems evil is for good. He will give them, not the expectations of their fears, or the expectations of their fancies, but the expectations of their faith the end he has promised, which will be the best for them. When the Lor pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourag prayer. He never said, Seek ye me in vain. Those who remained a Jerusalem would be utterly destroyed, notwithstanding what the fals prophets said to the contrary. The reason has often been given, and i justifies the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners; Because they have no hearkened to my words; I called, but they refused.

Jer. 29:20-32 Jeremiah foretells judgments upon the false prophets, wh deceived the Jews in Babylon. Lying was bad; lying to the people of the Lord, to delude them into a false hope, was worse; but pretending to rest their own lies upon the God of truth, was worst of all. The flattered others in their sins, because they could not reprove the without condemning themselves. The most secret sins are known to God and there is a day coming when he will bring to light all the hidde works of darkness. Shemaiah urges the priests to persecute Jeremiah Their hearts are wretchedly hardened who justify doing mischief by having power to do it. They were in a miserable thraldom for mockin the messengers of the Lord, and misusing his prophets; yet in their distress they trespass still more against the Lord. Afflictions wil not of themselves cure men of their sins, unless the grace of God work with them. Those who slight the blessings, deserve to lose the benefi of God's word, like Shemaiah. The accusations against many activ Christians in all ages, amount to no more than this, that the earnestly counsel men to attend to their true interest and duties, an to wait for the performance of God's promises in his appointed way __________________________________________________________________

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