Make Yourself at Home

God’s people failed at keeping their part of the Covenant. He warned them over and over, but they bombed it. No hope for success. Over and done.

Now they suffered the consequences – 70 years in exile, 70 years in a foreign land, 70 years outside of the Promised Land, the Land where God dwelt with them. Ezekiel saw God’s presence leave the temple and eventually the city of Jerusalem, and the results were devastating.

Yet, God in His mercy and faithfulness knew this was just one more step in His plan to redeem His people. He told the captives through Jeremiah to make themselves at home – “build houses…plant gardens…have children….pray for their new city…and do not listen to the false prophets” – because He would bring them home in 70 years (Jeremiah 29:4-14 ). What mercy!

In the meantime though, they were still to live as His people. The Bible relates the accounts of several individuals who lived as God’s Chosen while in exile – Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Esther. The Bible records the blessings each received a result – their lives and the lives of their people were spared.

Although we have God’s presence with us in the Holy Spirit today, we are still living much like exiles in a foreign land, a land not intended to be our permanent home. Christians are Heaven bound yet we are bound to the realm of this world. For now….

God’s plan to redeem His People for eternity is still the same. We just know a key part of the Plan today is Jesus.

If the Plan has not changed, then we too should live as His People despite the fact we are living in a “foreign land”. We are not to cave to the ways of our culture or the temptations of our sinful desires. We are to live faithful to God and His Promise, and we will reap the result. Just like Israel, God will take us home one day, home to a New Heaven and a New Earth where God dwells eternally!

Discover this and more @ The Bible From A to Z – Set M.