NOTES for Jer 29:1-32
The Lord requires of the captive Jews the same thing He required of everyone able to hear Him: to believe and to wait. The time of salvation will come only after several generations, but it will come. Not everyone will live to see it, but the Lord has promised, and they must believe. This theme runs through all of Scripture, from the story of Abraham to the last days. Perhaps this is the most difficult commandment: to believe and wait for the fulfillment of what God has promised. On this path, it is all too easy to despair, become disillusioned, and forget. This is what happened to many who went into captivity; only a few preserved faith and hope. But it is necessary to preserve them and to wait, so that the promise “You will find Me!” may be fulfilled.