The Captives’ Cry
and when you seek for me you will find me, when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
Seek/Search – How many times have you heard this verse given as motivation for seeking God? It seems to be a favorite when we need exhortation and encouragement. But how many of us know anything about its context? When God tells the children of Israel that they will need to seek Him with all their hearts, His words have a very important setting. Without the setting, the real message gets lost.
Jeremiah was a prophet of the Babylonian captivity. Terrible things were coming upon disobedient Israel. The truth is that God loved Israel so much that He punished them severely in order for them to confront their spiritual adultery. His punishment leveled the once great nation. It sent many to the grave and many more into bondage in Babylon. No one welcomed Jeremiah’s pronouncement. In fact, there were all kinds of self-proclaimed naysayers who told the people that “don’t worry, be happy, God would never do such terrible things.” How wrong they were!
But Jeremiah does not leave Israel with doom and gloom. God will hear them and restore them – after they are obedient to His command about the context. God’s desire for restoration is not unusual, but the context is shocking. It’s found in verse 7. God tells His people to “seek the well-being of the city” of Babylon. Can you imagine that? These people have been hauled off by invaders, and God tells them to actively pursue the prosperity and good will for their captors! He tells them to settle down in enemy territory and do all that they can to make life better for the bad guys. God uses the word that means studying and inquiring into His Law when He tells His people to seek shalom for the enemies. Then – and only then – will they be ready to search for Him.
Oh, by the way, there are two different Hebrew words in verses 12 and 13 translated by the English words “seek” and “search.” The first is baqash. It means to try to obtain, in particular, to obtain the presence of someone. When the people try to obtain God’s presence, He will be prepared to receive them, after they seek shalom for their enemies. The second word is darash, the word used in verse 7 and again in verse 13. Searching for God with all your heart is intimately connected with honoring, examining and obeying His word. Did you notice that God does not ask His people to seek (barash) the presence of the Babylonian conquerors? Pursing presence is reserved for Him. But He does request His people to darash (examine and inquire after) shalom for the enemies. How is that done? By obeying His word, of course.
Go ahead and use this verse when things get tough. But remember the context. Do you expect God to come running to your rescue when your enemies know nothing except your disdain and hostility? Do you think God’s compassion belongs only to you?
Topical Index: Compassion, Enemy
“when you SEEK for me you will find me, when you SEARCH for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
Hi Skip,
I like your explanation of the difference between seek (barash) and search: examine/inquire after (darash).
But, in English, SEEK tends to imply that one is looking for something, which is NOT a physical object and that there is a likelihood of finding it.
As in, for example, “I’m seeking a job in your company,” or “Seek and you shall find” (God).
Search, on the other hand, tends to imply that one is looking for a physical object (not God) and there is a likelihood that the object is lost and cannot be found.
As in “I’m searching for my keys” or “I’m searching for a job in your company” (but there is no match).
In any case, “search” does seem to be a good translation of “darash.”
–The truth is that God loved Israel so much that He punished them severely in order for them to confront their spiritual adultery.–
This may a moot point, but it also may be a major point as well. The choice of words may be the difference between a lightning bug and lightning.
I have had this discussion with a good friend of mine and now I will open this up among the community of the redeemed congregated “At G-d’s Table!” This is the issue at hand. There is a world of difference between the “punishment” of G-d and the “chastisement” of G-d. G-d (our Father) chastises every son whom He receives but with an end in view and that is restoration of relationship. Those of us who are fathers know exactly what this entails. And brother Skip I believe you have written a piece on “The Art of Discipline” which impacted me greatly as a father. We are so inadequate when it comes to disciplining our own children but G-d on the other hand does “all things well.” Even when we walk through the valley or enter the fiery furnance of affliction to “temper the steel”, G-d has His hand on the thermostat and just like a good cook- He Knows “how hot” and “how long” to “refine our impurities.” Chastisement is not our first thought but is our last resort to try to get our children’s focused attention. (any Kavannah fans out there?)
What can be accomplished when the teacher has the students “focused/undivided attention?” – Every parent/teacher’s dream isn’t it?
Now for the sore subject of punishment. (“good news..” actually), Jesus took the full “wrath of G-d” on Calvary. My sin(s), your sin(s), the sins of all the world for all time were (potentially) paid for in full by the blood of the Lamb slain for us on Calvary’s execution stake.
I say “potentially” paid for because we have to ask for His forgiveness. “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find” the LORD is merciful and plenteous in forgiveness. He is ever ready to forgive, far more so than we are “ready and willing to ask His forgiveness. He knows our frame and He remembers we are dust.
Does this mean we are free to sin and He will “keep on forgiving?” Think about it dad. If you have a son who habitually, continually goes again your instruction- what are you going to do about it? Will you not “seek” to (ahem..) gain his attention? There seems to be a nerve that runs from the “bottom” to the “top!” (oh.. have I “hit a nerve?”- lol!)
Here is what I wish for my “enemies.” First of all, they are not my enemies. They just do not know Yeshua- the Prince of Peace. This is what I wish for them -that they would know Him whom to know is life everlasting. We also need to remember “eternal life” is not (only) a quantity but it even more so, it is a quality. Life abundant and overflowing (John 10:10 and Psalm 23)
Our Father wants our attention. What does He have to do in order to get it? He will do “what it takes!” Anything from a sledge hammer to a feather- the way of the LORD is perfect…
“John 10 and Psalm 23”
Hi Carl,
Very interesting juxtaposition! I would just add one more from Mark:
“Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Jesus is not God)
– Mark 10:18
“Yahweh is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (God is enough for David)
– Psalm 23 The Good Shepherd
“I am the gate. (Jesus is the Way)
Anyone who enters through Me will be safe;
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
– John 10:9
Note: In the opening scene of Hombre, John Russell (aka Hombre) herds his horses into the coral and closes the gate.
This makes it clear, Skip. We must be willing to ‘go beyond’ our comfort zone for the sake of our enemy, and actually, ourselves. We will be held accountable if we try to justify our position by telling ourselves how right we are and how wrong they are. That is not allowed in any of the Savior’s teaching, and we will live in defeat as long as we hang on to that mindset. However, when we are willing for the Father to DO ANYTHING He chooses to bless our enemy, wow, do we see His glory!