While reading the oft quoted verse Jeremiah 29:11-14,I was struck by how the verse is often used as an affirmation of God’s purpose for our lives when the Hebraic mindset would see deeper into the history and context. The prophet speaks to the Jewish people in the context of their exile. Their God has not forgotten them, and promises them the restoration of a kingdom inasmuch as they seek after him. These elements of restoration of the Kingdom is essential for an historical understanding of this passage, and the powerful promise contained within it. In no way does this historical interpretation take away from the spiritual power of God’s purpose for our lives – it deepens it. But if we begin from the spiritual interpretation featured on many greeting cards, we will miss the depth of this passage that only its historical context can give it. Truly, the Hebraic mindset can lend a much deeper dive into the biblical text than a mere spiritual meaning.
