“Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. 2 (This happened after Jeconiah the king, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.) 3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying, 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:1-9 NKJV
God of Israel,
Jeremiah not only faithfully spoke to the people left behind but sent Your word to those who went into exile by letter. You wanted them to know, hear from You, and understand You had not completely forsaken them. You would always be their God even when they rejected You. You wanted them to prosper even in their captivity,, ready for the day they chose to turn back to You.
Only a compassionate and loving God would endeavour to reach the lost when they would not listen. But then many generations later You chose to send Your Son to a people who would not listen. But some did. And You opened the door, You were the door. Not just to Your chosen people personally knowing You, but to anyone, born anywhere. The ‘whosoever’ as the hymn says. There have been many faithful Jeremiah’s since speaking out to trust God in difficult and challenging situations. The situation does not always change but You, God bless us and carry us through.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 24th July 2026
Keen pianist to get going at the beginning made me smile. The whosoever – even me.
Whosoever heareth,” shout, shout the sound!
Spread the blessed tidings all the world around.
Tell the joyful news wherever man is found:
“Whosoever will may come.”
“Whosoever will, “whosoever will!”
Send the proclamation over vale and hill;
’Tis a loving Father calls the wanderer home;
“Whosoever will may come.”
Whosoever cometh need not delay.
Now the door is open; enter while you may;
Jesus is the true, the only Living Way.
“Whosoever will may come.”
Chorus
“Whosoever will” the promise is secure;
“Whosoever will” forever shall endure.
“Whosoever will” ’tis life forevermore.
“Whosoever will may come.”
Chorus
Lyrics: Philip P Bliss