Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.  And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.   For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; “Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.  For they prophesy falsely unto you in My name: I have not sent them,” saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 29:5-9

As a follower of Jesus Christ, a student of His word, and always praying to be faithful to Him and His word, I am a foreigner in  a foreign land. I  mean by that that I am a citizen of the Land of Beulah also  called Heaven or Glory, and I am a citizen of the country of which I was born into – the United States of America. I was born into this Nation  and into a family where several generations of people of my lineage had been born as well.

Yet, I see myself as a foreigner. Why? Because this world is not my home. My desire is to be in the place where my Lord lives. Do I love the Nation in which I live, and reside? Most certainly I do. I also love my family, and I am praying that they have that same desire to be nearer our Lord and Savior that I do; or even greater than I.

You may be wondering what does that have to do with the Bible text? Many, if not all the people of Judah who were taken captive to Babylon were probably ones who had heard the word of the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah when Babylon was there at or near Jerusalem; “To save your lives you need to go out and give yourselves up to Babylon.” Jeremiah was accused of treason, and no one would hear the word of the LORD. Some did, but were taken to a foreign land.

The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from which our text comes from giving them good advice for surviving in a foreign land, and it is purposeful advice for any follower of Jesus Christ in any day.

When you are bound in a foreign land, by captivity or other reasons then live your life in light of God’s word.

1. Build houses and live in them;
2. Plant gardens, and eat the fruits of it;
3. Get married and have children;
4. Take wives for your sons, and husbands for your daughters;
5. Do these things so that you will not wilt away;
6. Seek for the peace of the city where you are, for in their peace you will have peace;
7. Do not listen to or heed the words of false prophets who have dreams to lead you away from the truth.

As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, we are to live according to the direction the LORD leads us, and to build, and plant, and wed of the opposite sex, have children – lest we be diminished. We ought always seek peace with God, and our neighbor, our city, rural area, or where ever we might live.

There is much warning in the Prophets of listening to the prophets who tell people they are speaking the word  of the LORD, when they actually telling lies to develop a following for themselves. Do not hear them. Do not be deceived.

Jesus said, “Occupy till I come.” (Luke 19:13). That simply means keep doing what you are supposed to be doing, until I come again. As Believers, followers of the crucified,  buried, and risen Lord Jesus Christ we ought to see the great need for repentance in many coming back to faith who have been unfaithful; and calling others to receive the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

Do you know Him? He died in your place, taking the wrath of God that should have been you receiving it. Call on His name, and ask Him to save you.