Jeremiah 29:11 – Can God’s Plans For You Be Evil?

If there’s anything we know about God, it’s that He’s good. He proved His love for us by becoming a man and dying for us. So, that’s kind of non-negotiable for Christians. And Jeremiah 29:11 seems to confirm this. But it doesn’t always feel that way. Sometimes, it feels the exact opposite. It’s OK to wonder if God’s ignoring you, or even worse, against you. I’ll prove it to you in less than 10 minutes.

We love to quote and remember verses that bring us hope. There’s nothing wrong with this. The Gospel is all about hope. But sometimes, we get things really out of whack. Like when we quote Jeremiah 29:11. I was literally on a phone call with a friend less than two hours ago where this was done. He was trying to be encouraging, so he said “God knows the plans He has for you.” He’s absolutely correct. But that doesn’t’ mean His plans will always feel good.  

I Know The Plans…

Here’s the verse. Say it with me… 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Again, on the surface, this verse offers so much to us. God is omniscient. He knows everything. He’s sovereign. In control of everything. And He’s good. His plans offer us hope and a future. So, when we read this verse, we should be encouraged. That’s the good news. Now, it’s time for the bad.

The context of this verse is not a period of prosperity and success for Israel. For centuries, Israel rebelled against YHWH. And His mercy and grace prevailed. YHWH allowed Israel’s enemies to defeat them. Bondage came. Israel repented. God sent judges to lead the people to freedom. And the cycle started again. 

It didn’t get any better after Israel sought a king. Sure, David and Solomon had their high points…and low. But after Solomon the nation was divided. And things really went downhill. Idolatry was everywhere. The people even sacrificed their children to pagan idols. Yes, God loved Israel. But He couldn’t ignore their evil any longer.

Things Are Going to Get Bad

And that’s where we’re at when we get to this verse. The Prophet, Jeremiah, doesn’t have good news for Israel. The Babylonians are coming. This isn’t going to be a temporary, short-term judgment. This isn’t going to go well. Listen to the verse in context:

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jeremiah 29:4-7 NIV)

Wait, this sounds like exile. This doesn’t sound like it’s just a few years. It’s a long term scenario playing out. Building houses sounds like it could take awhile. The kids are growing up and getting married. And if your life is going to be good, then you better pray for YHWH to prosper the city you’re exiled to. 

It gets even more interesting. When these words were written, there were other prophets in Israel contradicting Jeremiah. Things weren’t going to be all that bad! Maybe two or three years of judgment. But after that, YHWH is going to defeat Israel’s enemies and restore our prosperity.

70 Years

So, YHWH responds to these lies:

Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the LORD.” This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. (Jeremiah 29:8-10 NIV)

Did He just say, “70 years?” This is devastating. This isn’t Joel Osteen “Your Best Life Now” theology. This feels like abandonment; like the end. 

There are times in our lives where we feel like God isn’t good. That His plans aren’t to bring us a future and hope. Honestly, His plans can feel like He’s abandoned us. It’s during these times that we must stand in faith on God’s promise. God is omniscient. He knows everything. He’s sovereign. In control of everything. And He’s good. His plans DO offer us hope and a future. Even when we can’t see them.