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I am using the YouVersion 49 Week Bible Challenge for these devotions. Today’s readings are Mark 3; Exodus 35; Jeremiah 52; Job 33.
Jeremiah 52:1-11
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3 For because of the anger of the Lord it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence.
And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4 And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem, and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it. 5 So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 6 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 7 Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled and went out from the city by night by the way of a gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, and the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah. 8 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him. 9 Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him. 10 The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah. 11 He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in chains, and the king of Babylon took him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
Many Christians are familiar with Jeremiah 29:11, and the promise of God for hope and a future. But look at the larger context is insightful here.
Jeremiah 29:10-13
“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
The 70 years of v. 10 is best understood as 70 years from the time of the destruction of the temple, (re)recorded in Jeremiah 52, to the time of its rebuilding, chronicled in the book of Ezra. All this it to say that God’s good plans, determined will and purposes will come to fruition. But they take time.
And in the mean time – as God’s purposes are being worked out – there will also inevitably be challenges, difficulties, and opposition to his plans.
Even Jesus had his detractors and doubters. The Pharisees were constantly at odds with Jesus and his teachings. Even Jesus’ family didn’t always get it. They had at one time thought that Jesus had lost his mind during the busiest times of his ministry. “And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, ‘He is out of his mind’” (Mark 3:20-21).
Some people say that if you’re doing God’s work all will go well for you. The one who perfectly followed God’s will experienced anything but “all going well.” Pharisees and family opposed him. Pilate agreed to having him put to death.
The people of Israel in Jeremiah’s day would have to wait 70 years before they would see their destroyed temple rebuilt. But it was rebuilt. Jesus didn’t have to wait 70 years for his vindication. But even after 3 days his vindication isn’t fully revealed. We have yet to see it. But the day will come when Jesus returns and he will receive all the honor and glory – visible to us all.
I don’t want to be too glib about this – especially when we are struggling to see God’s hand of favor in our lives. But think of those who waited 70 years. Think of those who have been faithful through times of severe persecution. Think of those who have waited for God’s answer to prayer for a loved one. Think better yet, of God’s faithfulness through the millenia, and at a great cost – the death of his Son.
Seventy years is a long time. But as my friend used to say, “Eternity is a long, long time.” Far longer than 70 years. God is faithful to his promises. He has promised an eternity of joyful celebration for those who wait, hope, and trust in him.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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