While these words were written in 596bc and we quote Jeremiah 29:11 often, it is even better to see its context. Once we understand its original context then we can take its principle and apply it personally – V:1 Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. V:10 ‘This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord . “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord . “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” (Jeremiah 29:1

After writing to the captives exiled in Babylon God said, “write in a book (scroll) all the words that I have spoken to you.” Jer. 30:2 v: 3 ” behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people…” we call this ‘book’ The Book of Comfort. Chapters 30 – 33. It was a dark time for Israel and that is where we can fit in, because even amid calamity and trouble God extends hope and restoration e.g. Jer.31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you…” Jer.31:35 “Thus says the Lord who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar – the Lord of Hosts is his name…” Jer.33:14-16 talks about the promise of Jesus. He also spoke in 31:31ff of the covenant of grace that only requires our response.