NOTES for Jer 29:1-32

At first Jeremiah's letter may appear to be only one of his many speeches, which we have heard more than once already. But then we notice new motifs, and the address to the exiles itself differs radically from his earlier preaching. Although only a minority of the people has so far been deported to Babylon, while those remaining in the Promised Land still have yet to share the fate of the present exiles, it is precisely this captive minority that is already becoming the new core of the people.

It has not yet become that remnant called to preserve faithfulness to the people's spiritual vocation; the exiles' devotion to the Lord is still unstable, as shown, for example, by the presence of false prophets among them. But the shock experienced by the exiles has already prepared their hearts to reconsider the false ideas that had become habitual; it is now easier for them to hear the bitter wisdom proclaimed by the prophet.

Moreover, by their sufferings the involuntary settlers have already begun to atone for their sins, and perhaps for the sins of the whole people. And just as in the days of Abraham a people arose who were called to preserve faithfulness to the Lord, so now among a people that has shown unfaithfulness there must appear a "little flock" that could become a point of support for the return of all the rest to the original calling.