MANY CHRISTIANS TODAY ARE WONDERING what posture they should have toward a culture and society that is increasingly rejecting biblical values. Should they continue to lovingly engage? Should they willfully resist? Or, would strategically withdrawing be the best way forward? Though at different times and in different ways each of these options may be the right one to employ, the Lord gave the exiles in Babylon an answer that might surprise you. Jeremiah wrote, “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7). They weren’t to physically resist. They weren’t to run and hide. Yahweh was calling them to love and serve their captors and pray for the Babylonians to know God’s glory and goodness. The Jewish exiles were to be active and intentional in bringing God’s blessings to their Babylonian neighbors.
The word translated “welfare” in verse 7 is the Hebrew word “shalom.” Though it does mean “peace,” it is far richer than simply referring to the cessation of conflict. It is better understood as “wholeness” or “prosperity,” or even “flourishing.” The exiles were to pursue the very best for the citizens of Babylon.
They would do this by the ways they worked under the authority of their bosses. By using their various gifts and abilities to bring order and beauty to society. In how they responded to the decrees of the government (so long as those decrees were in keeping with their faith). By the ways they served those who were vulnerable – widows, orphans, the poor, the sojourner. By showing care and generosity to neighbors through famine, sickness, and war. And, finally, they could seek the welfare of the Babylonians by pointing them to their God.
Yahweh had missional purposes for his people, but to be faithful to this call they were going to need to change their posture toward those they most likely hated. They were going to need to go from “arms crossed” to “arms open.” This would not be easy. It is not our default position to love those who threaten our way of living, but this is the way of our God who shows compassion on his enemies, who even blesses those who hate him (Luke 6:35).
Many of us in the West need to consider a change of posture toward our culture as well. Our fear and disgust have often led to anger or resentment. In our anger we have not loved others as Christ has loved us. In an article for Ligonier Ministries entitled, “Christian Exiles,” John Piper shares a better approach:
The fact that we are exiles on the earth does not mean that we don’t care what becomes of culture. Rather, it means that we exert our influence as happy, yet brokenhearted outsiders. Our joy is a brokenhearted joy because human culture — in every society — dishonors Christ, glories in its shame, and is bent on self-destruction. However, we do not smirk at the misery or the merrymaking of immoral culture. We weep. Or we should. This is my main point: being exiles does not mean being cynical. It does not mean being indifferent or uninvolved. The salt of the earth does not mock rotting meat. Where it can, it saves and seasons. Where it can’t, it weeps. And the light of the world does not withdraw, saying ‘good riddance’ to godless darkness. It labors to illuminate.
May we work to bring the light of Christ to our communities and nation! As Bruce Springsteen once sang, “You can’t start a fire worrying about your little world falling apart.” If we are so focused on what we have lost culturally or so angrily obsessed with how to reclaim it, then we are not going to start a gospel fire in this day.
Jeremiah concludes verse 7 with the words—“for in [Babylon’s] welfare you will find your welfare.” I wonder if part of the reason the Church finds itself in its current position in the United States is because we have been a little too busy fighting culture wars instead of seeking the blessing of our nation. This is not to say that Christians shouldn’t stand for truth and justice in the public square. However, it is to ask whether our primary posture has been “arms crossed” or “arms open.”
PRAYER
Jesus, I want to start a gospel fire by seeking the welfare of the community and nation in which I live. Help me to love my neighbors, particularly those with whom I disagree. May I pursue their best and pray for them to experience the fullness of your blessings – physically, relationally, spiritually. Change my heart that I may be faithful in this. Amen.
PONDER
- Based on Jeremiah 29:7, what were God’s intentions for the Babylonians?
- How do you think his intentions for the Babylonians relate to those we live among today who are not yet his people?
- In what ways does God need to change your heart so that you might more intentionally “seek the welfare of the city” where you live in exile?