The Bible CourseSample

Prophecy, call and hope – peace within the storm

Reflect:

‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass … It’s about learning to dance in the rain.’ (Vivian Greene)

This week, we discover the overarching theme of exile as we prepare for the next session of The Bible Course.

The exile was the darkest period of Israel’s history. The Babylonians sacked Jerusalem, smashed up the city that David had established, and burned down the temple Solomon built. Jerusalem was left in ruins, and God’s people were deported to live in a foreign land.

But exile is more than just an event in the big Bible story; it’s a deep metaphor for what we experience today. Life and its challenges remind us that things aren’t as they should be. We live in exile right now.

Yet into the darkness, hope shines. God raised up prophets who warned of judgement, but he also promised that the best was yet to come. Knowing this, we can learn to dance, even in the rain.

Jeremiah writes a letter to the exiles. What hope does he give them?

Jeremiah writes to those in exile to say God will not forget them. In fact, he says that in exile God still has a plan. When 70 years have passed, he will come for them and bring them back. Israel may have dark days ahead, but God is with them even in exile, and he gives them hope of a better tomorrow.

When the tunnel gets dark, God promises there is light at the end. Jesus’ death and resurrection tell us that there is always a future and a hope. Jesus has promised to return, too, bringing us back to God. Exile is not forever.

What does Jeremiah 29 teach us about living well in exile today?

Remember, Israel spent 70 years in exile; 70 years of being away from home. Christians are referred to as ‘exiles’ in the New Testament. We live away from home, because our true home lies in the new heavens and new earth. Those 70 years of waiting can’t have been easy, and neither is our waiting today. But the story of the Bible should inspire us to wait well. We can win away from home!

God asked Israel to seek the peace and prosperity of the city. He didn’t ask them to wait until the storm passed, but encouraged them to dance in the rain! God wanted Israel to shape and improve the city of their exile. Christians are exiles, but we're also called to be influencers.

Respond

What could it look like for you to dance in the rain today?