The Jeremiah 29:11 Fraud
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – JEREMIAH 29v11
HAVE YOU EVER…?
Have you ever clung to a Bible verse during tough times? Have you been told that you just need to make a certain verse your own—believe it, claim it, confess it, and tell God how much you trust Him based on that verse? You were told to cling to it and stand in faith.
But what happens when things don’t turn out as you were told or had hoped?
For many, Jeremiah 29:11 is that verse. But what if I told you that many of us have been interpreting it all wrong? What if we’ve been fed a lie about what this verse actually means?
Join me in this article as we uncover the truth behind this popular, yet misunderstood and misapplied, scripture.
THE FRAUD
Many people love Jeremiah 29:11 because they believe it promises personal prosperity, success, relief from struggles, and abundant blessings. The message is often summarized as, “God has a wonderful plan for your life.” But, as we will see, this is a misleading and unbiblical interpretation.
Misuse and Misunderstanding
This blog is titled “The Jeremiah 29v11 Fraud” because many interpret and proclaim this verse in a way that is deceptive. They believe it promises blessings that God never actually promised. This misuse creates false expectations, leading to disappointment when those promises are not fulfilled.
The Definition of Fraud
“Fraud” typically means intentionally deceiving someone to gain a benefit. In this context, whether intentional or not, many church leaders mislead their followers by misusing this verse. The original audience—Jews exiled in Babylon 2,500 years ago—would never have understood it in the way many Christians do today.
FALSE EXPECTATIONS AND DISAPPOINTMENT
Misusing Jeremiah 29:11 leads to false expectations of God. When God doesn’t meet these expectations, people can become disappointed and even abandon their faith. By putting words in God’s mouth, we create a false image of Him that contradicts His true nature as revealed throughout Scripture.
THE POPULARITY OF JEREMIAH 29v11
Jeremiah 29:11 is extremely popular. If you type “Jeremiah” into any search engine, “Jeremiah 29:11” often pops up first. It’s a favorite verse found on graduation cards, posters, and sermons. Even non-Christians admire it, which raises an important question:
Why Is Jeremiah 29v11 So Beloved?
This verse’s appeal lies in the promise of prosperity, success, and peace—things everyone desires. But is that what God is really saying in this verse?
THE ALLURE
Prosperity and Success
Taking Jeremiah 29:11 out of context makes it seem like God promises personal prosperity and success for His followers. People interpret it as a guarantee of breakthroughs, healing, and financial blessings. When these don’t materialize, the believer is often blamed for lacking faith.
Biblical Illiteracy
Many fall for this false teaching because of a lack of understanding of how to correctly interpret the Bible. Christians often lack proper training in biblical interpretation, and sadly, some church leaders contribute to this problem by mishandling Scripture.
Carnal Desires
The verse appears to promise exactly what people want—success, prosperity, and freedom from suffering. Who wouldn’t want that? But this is a flawed perspective that places our desires above God’s actual purpose.
A ‘God’ Everyone Wants
This misinterpretation positions God as a divine being whose main purpose is to ensure our happiness and success. This is not the God of the Bible but a god of our own making—an idol.
THE REAL DANGER
The real danger of misunderstanding Jeremiah 29:11 is that it leads to idolatry. When we view God as someone who exists primarily to serve our desires, we turn Him into a false god. This version of God demands nothing from us—no repentance or holiness—and is more about our comfort than about transformation into Christ’s likeness.
The Warning
Paul warns about this kind of distortion in 2 Timothy 4:3-4: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Misinterpreting Jeremiah 29:11 skews our view of God, leading to a warped relationship with Him. Instead of seeing God as the sovereign Creator, we view Him as a servant who exists to fulfill our desires.
THE CONTEXT OF JEREMIAH 29v11
To understand Jeremiah 29:11, we need to consider its immediate and broader context within the book of Jeremiah and the Old Testament.
Who Was Jeremiah?
Jeremiah was a young priest from Anathoth who was called to be a prophet (Jeremiah 1:1-14). He ministered during a tumultuous period in Israel’s history, warning the people of Judah and Jerusalem to repent or face God’s judgment through the invading Babylonian army.
The Political Scene of Jeremiah’s Day
Jeremiah began his ministry during the fall of the Assyrian Empire and the rise of Babylon, which eventually defeated both Assyria and Israel. Babylon’s dominance brought severe consequences for the people of Judah.
Jeremiah’s Mission
God called Jeremiah to speak to the people of Judah and Jerusalem (see Jeremiah 1:14). The people were deep into idol worship and other horrendous wrongdoings. Jeremiah warned them to repent or face God’s judgment through an invading army. When they didn’t listen and the foreign invasion started, he advised them no to resist, but to submit to Babylon to avoid complete annihilation.
The Biblical Text Leading Up To Jeremiah 29v11
To understand Jeremiah 29:11, we need to look at the chapters leading up to it:
Jeremiah 23
God sternly rebuked and warned the false prophets in Judah and Jerusalem of severe judgment against them as they were intentionally misleading the remnants of their countrymen in Judea. They’ve claimed to have received special messages directly from God. But according to God, they have not.
Jeremiah 24
God assured those carried off to exile in Babylon of His kind-hearted intentions towards those who would submit under His discipline. He promised to eventually bring them back, settle them in their native land again, and above all, grant them a heart to know and submit to the LORD. This would consist of deep repentance and them returning to Him with all their hearts. Consequently, they would be His people once more, and He would be their God.
Jeremiah 25
The LORD foretold severe calamity and judgment upon the inhabitants of Judah for ignoring His warnings delivered by the prophets He had sent. Nations from the north would bring desolation and astonishment, forcing them into 70 years of exile. Eventually, God would also pass judgment on Babylon.
Jeremiah 26
God instructed Jeremiah to prophesy calamity in the temple at Jerusalem, hoping the city would heed the warning and repent. If ignored, Jerusalem would face a fate like Shiloh of old—a cursed destruction. Despite hosting God’s house, the city would be ruined, and severe harm would befall God’s covenant people. Jeremiah’s prophecy stirred anger, prompting an attempt on his life by those who cherished the city and temple. Yet, the princes of Judah intervened, with Ahikam safeguarding Jeremiah by hiding him from those seeking his life.
Jeremiah 27
Jeremiah prophesied that Babylon would reign over all nations, warning against false prophets who claimed otherwise. Those who submitted to Nebuchadnezzar would stay in their lands. He directly urged King Zedekiah to yield to Babylon’s rule, and to reject false prophecies of supposed freedom. He foretold that the remaining temple vessels would be taken in the next Babylonian invasion but promised eventual restoration after 70 years of exile when God would revisit His people.
Jeremiah 28
In the temple, Hananiah, a prominent false prophet, opposed Jeremiah, falsely prophesying the imminent ending of Babylon’s harsh rule & dominance, and the return of temple vessels and exiles within two years. Jeremiah countered, stating true prophets are validated by fulfilled prophecies from the LORD. He declared that Hananiah misled the people with lies and predicted his death within a year. True to Jeremiah’s words, Hananiah died in the seventh month of that year.
Jeremiah 29v1-10
This is Jeremiah’s prophetic letter to the Jews in Babylonian captivity. Through this letter of Jeremiah, God directed these exiles in Babylon to abandon hopes of a quick return home and to settle in Babylon for the long term. They were urged to contribute to the peaceful coexistence within the cities, refrain from rebellion or disruption, and seek the prosperity of Babylon’s rulers, which would also be for their own benefit. Jeremiah cautioned them about false prophets promising a swift end to the Babylonian exile. He affirmed that God would only fulfill His promise and “GOOD WORD“ of their return to Judah and Jerusalem after a complete 70 years had passed.
Jeremiah 29v11
In the context of God’s covenant with Abraham, the Mosaic law, and His prior history with Israel, we can better understand the meaning behind this verse. The LORD stated that His thoughts (His plans/intentions/purposes) with them in captivity were as follows:
- They would have continual peace, meaning safety, prosperity, good health, and a restful (peaceful) dwelling. Their ongoing captivity in Babylon was no indication that they would be destroyed and stop to exist as a nation.
- The LORD wanted them to know that He still regarded them as His covenant people. Their special status as Yahweh’s covenant people hadn’t ended. Just like ancient Israel, they could anticipate a certain future and hope with the LORD, as His covenant people. God would eventually restore them to every aspect of being His covenant people.
Jeremiah 29v12-14
These verses, combined with verse 10, provide a clearer description of God’s positive future intentions for the exiled Jews. The LORD would eventually restore them from captivity, and enable them to serve as His covenant people in Judah and Jerusalem. They would be a people that worship Him truthfully once more, praying and receiving answers from the LORD. They would earnestly seek the LORD with all their hearts, and He would be found by them again.
Jeremiah 29v15-32
The rest of chapter 29 warns against false prophets that would prophesy contrary to God’s word through Jeremiah, and the LORD assured the exiles that He would harshly deal with these false prophets.
WHAT DID JEREMIAH 29v11 MEAN TO THE EXILES?
God Was Correcting The False Prophets
Jeremiah’s letter to the exiles in Babylon was God’s way of correcting the false prophecies spreading among the people. These false prophets were giving the exiles misleading hopes about a quick return to their homeland, contradicting God’s actual message.
What God Really Said
In the broader context of the Old Testament and the specific context within Jeremiah 29, we can see verse 11 meant the following to the original audience:
- A Long Exile: The exiles were facing a long period away from home, which was a consequence of their deep apostasy in Judea. But, even in exile, God intended to prosper the Israelites as His covenant people.
- A Covenant Relationship: Despite their exile, they remained God’s covenant people. The agreements made in the Mosaic covenant were still in effect, including both blessings and curses. The exile and the hardships they faced were not meant for their ultimate destruction but were the consequences of their prior apostacy as outlined in the Mosaic law.
- A Promising Future: God assured them they still had a future with Him. This was a promise grounded in the Mosaic law and reiterated throughout the Old Testament. They had a certain and promising future as a nation. At the appointed time, God would allow them to return to their homeland to fulfill their role as His covenant people.
God’s True Intentions
These plans of peace, future, and hope God had for them were by no means intended to be mere comfortable and self-serving circumstances. It wasn’t about giving these Jews an easy life in which they could have all that the carnal hearts desired. No, it was about God’s call to the exiles to return to a state of living for God’s glory under His Lordship as His covenant people!
HOW DOES JEREMIAH 29v11 APPLY TO US TODAY?
Misapplying Jeremiah 29v11
First, let’s clear up some common misconceptions about how Jeremiah 29:11 applies to Christians today:
- Don’t use it out of context: Jeremiah 29:11 was originally addressed to Jewish exiles in Babylon. God’s promises were tied to the Old Covenant and don’t directly apply to New Testament Christians in the same way (See Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 8:13; 10:9 which talks about the Old Covenant which was replaced by the New Covenant in Christ).
- It’s not about material blessings: This verse does not promise us material prosperity, immediate success in our endeavors, miraculous healings from sicknesses, or deliverance from pain or hardships. Just as it wasn’t intended to promise earthly blessings to the Jews, it shouldn’t be used to claim such promises for ourselves today.
- We cannot directly apply it to ourselves: Directly applying this promise to our lives without understanding its context is misleading, otherwise known as fraudulent. It leads to false expectations and disappointment when God doesn’t fulfill these misinterpreted promises. Proper interpretation of the Bible is crucial:
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.
Proper Application Of Jeremiah 29:11
If we can’t take Jeremiah 29:11 at face value for our lives today, then how should we understand it?
It helps us to understand God’s nature
Above everything else, Jeremiah 29:11 teaches us about God’s character. He is faithful and has good plans for His people, but these plans are about spiritual growth and our ultimate redemption, rather than our immediate comfort or prosperity.
Jeremiah 29v11 parallels with New Testament teachings
Several New Testament teachings parallel the principles behind Jeremiah 29:11. Here are some key points:
- God’s Discipline: God disciplines us for our good and His glory, and shapes us into Christ’s likeness, mostly through hardships we as Christians endure while still living in our fallen earthly bodies.
- Future Glory: We as Christ’s followers are heading towards a future glory that far outweighs our present sufferings. Then we will experience the fullness of being God’s covenant people in Christ, with God living among us, and we will live in His direct presence forever.
- Warnings Against False Prophets: We are constantly cautioned against false teachings by false teachers, false prophets, and false so-called apostles, who want to draw our focus and hearts away after themselves and loyal devotion to the true and living God by the allure of false promises seemingly made by God Himself…
- God’s Faithfulness: Throughout the New Testament we are assured of God’s unwavering commitment to us, His people, even though we’re constantly going through hard times and persecutions. We’re reminded that we’re in a foreign spiritual land on this earth where we live as spiritual foreigners or exiles. We are citizens of heaven where we will one day be welcomed. The New Heaven and New Earth is our promised land where we’re heading.
- The Fear of the Lord: We are encouraged to maintain a reverent fear of God while still living as Christians on this side of eternity. We’re instructed to be faithful witnesses of Christ to the unsaved people among whom we live while here on earth.
- God’s Judgment: The New Testament abundantly reminds us of the certainty of God’s judgment – that the world that we live in now will one day face the full judgment and wrath of God, and that every act of injustice and unrighteousness that has been committed against God and us by this world will be accounted for and be severely judged by the LORD Himself – no one will escape His wrath.
- Purpose in Suffering: God’s purposes in our suffering are often beyond our understanding, but the New Testament makes it very clear that these are aimed at our spiritual maturity, deeper faith, and a closer walk with God.
- True Worship: The LORD’s call is also to us to be true worshippers, seeking God with our whole hearts, just like the exiles of old were called by God to do.
THE BETTER PROMISE OF GOD
Jeremiah 29:11 is NOT about God having wonderful plans for our lives today!
It’s a call for Christians to submit to God’s loving discipline, no matter how hard or unfair it may seem at the moment. God promises to mold us more into the likeness of Christ and thereby deepen the closeness of our relationship with God. This transformation ultimately glorifies God, and that’s what we must rejoice in.
Our lives with God in the here and now will eventually culminate in living with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth. There, what’s currently veiled in exile-like coverings or circumstances will then be made manifest in its fullness without any restrictions or pain…
