Jeremiah 29:28
“because he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long. Build houses, and dwell in them. Plant gardens, and eat their fruit?”’””
What does Jeremiah 29:28 mean?
Jeremiah is reporting what the false prophet Shemaiah wrote to the people in exile, mocking Jeremiah's message. Shemaiah was telling the exiles that their captivity would last forever, so they might as well settle down, build permanent homes, plant crops, and make the best of their situation in Babylon. The problem wasn't the practical advice itself, but that Shemaiah was using it to discourage hope and faith, essentially saying "forget about God's promises and give up." This matters because it shows how easy it is to lose faith when circumstances feel permanent, and how people can misuse common sense to pull others away from trusting God. The real message Jeremiah was carrying was that the exile would end, that God hadn't abandoned them, and that they should hold onto hope.