The Bible Course Muestra

Prophecy, Call, and Hope – peace within the storm 

Reflect 

‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass … It’s about learning to dance in the rain.’ (Vivian Greene) 

Exile was the darkest period of Israel’s history. The Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, smashed down the city that David established, and burned down the temple Solomon built. Jerusalem was left in ruins and God’s people were deported as forced migrants, living in a foreign land.  

Exile is also more than an event in the Bible story;  it’s a deep metaphor for what we experience today. Life and its challenges remind us that things aren’t as they should be. We live in exile now.  

But into the darkness, hope shines. God raises up prophets who warn of judgment but also promise that the best is yet to come. We can learn to dance in the rain!  

Jeremiah writes a letter to future exiles. What hope does he give them?  

Jeremiah writes to those in exile to say God will not forget them. In fact, he says that in exile God still has a plan. When 70 years have passed he will come for them and bring them back. Israel may have dark days ahead, but God is with them even in exile and he gives hope of a better tomorrow.  

When the tunnel gets dark, God promises there is light at the end. Jesus’ death and resurrection tell us that there is always a future and a hope. Jesus has promised to return, too, bringing us back to God. Exile is not forever!  

What does Jeremiah 29 teach us about living well in exile today? 

Remember Israel had 70 years in exile; 70 years of being away from home. Christians are referred to as ‘exiles’ in the New Testament. We live away from home because our true home lies in the new heavens and earth. Those 70 years of waiting can’t have been easy, and neither is our waiting today. But the story of the Bible should inspire us to wait well. We can win away from home! 

God asked Israel to seek the peace and prosperity of the city. He didn’t ask them to wait till the storm passed, he encouraged them to dance in the rain! God wanted Israel to shape and improve the city of their exile. Christians are exiles, but we're also called to be influencers. 

Respond 

What could it look like for you to dance in the rain today?